Actress Navya Nair linked to money laundering case involving IRS officer Sachin Sawant

Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unveiled a link between Malayalam actress Navya Nair and the ongoing money laundering case against IRS officer Sachin Sawant.

The central investigative agency has questioned and recorded a statement from the actress. This development emerged as part of the ED chargesheet, which was presented last week in a Special ED court.

According to reliable sources, the ED's investigation into the Sachin Sawant money laundering case, initiated based on a CBI FIR, unraveled Navya Nair's involvement. The probe agency meticulously gathered mobile data, chat records, and statements from Sawant, eventually leading to the discovery of a connection between IRS officer Sachin Sawant and Navya Nair.

The ED's findings suggested that there was a close bond between the two individuals. Reportedly, Sawant had undertaken 8-10 trips to Cochin, purportedly to meet Navya Nair. However, when questioned by the ED, Navya Nair refuted any form of relationship or closeness, asserting that they were merely friends, reported Free Press Journal.

As part of its investigation, the ED discovered that Sawant had presented gifts, including jewelry items, to Navya Nair.

Further scrutiny revealed that some of these jewelry assets had been procured by the accused IRS officer, Sachin Sawant. Subsequent revelations indicated that Sachin Sawant had indeed gifted jewelry and other items to Navya Nair.

In her statement to the ED, Nair clarified that Sachin had offered her certain pieces of jewelry as a gesture of friendship. The ED included Navya Nair's statement in the charge sheet submitted to the special court. The ED also recorded statements from another female friend of Sawant in relation to the money laundering case.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Sachin Balasaheb Sawant, an Additional Commissioner of Customs, on June 27, 2023, in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, in Lucknow.

Prior to this, Sawant had served as a Deputy Director at ED Mumbai Zone 2. The allegations against him revolve around the accumulation of assets disproportionate to his known and legal sources of income during the specified period. Throughout the PMLA investigation, the focus was on alleged benami assets, firms, and financial irregularities. The ongoing probe revealed unexplained cash deposits amounting to approximately Rs. 1.25 Crore, funneled into the personal bank accounts of Sawant's family members from undisclosed sources.

These deposits were also channeled into a dummy company's bank account, where Sawant's father and brother-in-law held positions as directors. Notably, an immovable property was procured under the dummy company's name, with funds for the purchase allegedly disguised as personal and bank loans, repayments being conducted in cash. Despite being attributed to the dummy company, a flat located in Navi Mumbai was occupied by Sachin Sawant as the rightful owner. The agency is delving into the alleged acquisition of a BMW car registered in the name of a male friend associated with Sachin Sawant.

The investigation remains ongoing as the ED continues to delve into the intricate financial intricacies surrounding the case.