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The Supreme Court termed ED’s allegation against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as serious, stayed the FIR against ED officials, and agreed to examine limits of state interference in central probes.

Supreme Court calls ED allegations against Mamata Banerjee serious, stays FIR against officials

The Supreme Court termed ED&rsquo;s allegation against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as serious, stayed the FIR against ED officials, and agreed to examine limits of state interference in central probes.

The Supreme Court on Thursday described the ED's allegation that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee caused "obstruction" in its probe as "very serious" and agreed to examine whether a state's law-enforcing agencies can interfere with any central agency's investigation into any serious offence.
The top court stayed the FIR filed in West Bengal against ED officials who raided the I-PAC office and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, on January 8 and directed the state police to protect the CCTV footage of the raids.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul Pancholi issued notices to CM Banerjee, the West Bengal government, DGP Rajeev Kumar and top cops on the ED's petitions seeking a CBI probe against them for allegedly obstructing raids at I-PAC premises.
"According to us, adherence to the rule of law in the country and to allow each organ to function independently, it is necessary to examine the issue so that the offenders are not allowed to be protected under the shield of law-enforcing agencies of a particular state."
"Larger questions are involved and have been raised, which, if allowed to remain undecided, would further worsen the situation, and there will be a situation of lawlessness prevailing in one or the other state, considering that different outfits are governing different places," the bench said.
The apex court said a central agency has no power to interfere with the election work of any party. But at the same time, if central agencies are acting bona fide to investigate any serious offence, the question arises whether agencies can be restricted from carrying out duties under the shield of party activity, it said.
The matter is posted for further hearing on February 3.
Earlier in the day, the top court said that it was very much disturbed by the commotion at the Calcutta High Court during its hearing in the ED raids case.
The Calcutta High Court had adjourned till January 14 the hearing on petitions related to the ED's search and seizure operations at sites linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC, citing unmanageable chaos inside the courtroom.
As the hearing commenced, the ED said the West Bengal government's "interference and obstruction" during the probe agency's raids reflects a very shocking pattern.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the bench that in the past also, whenever statutory authorities exercised statutory power, Banerjee barged in and interfered.
"It reflects a very shocking pattern," Mehta said while contending that this will only encourage such acts, and the central forces will be demoralised.
"The states will feel they can barge in, commit theft, and then sit on a dharna. Let an example be set, officers who were explicitly present there should be suspended," the solicitor general said.
Mehta submitted that there was evidence leading to the conclusion that incriminating material was lying in the I-PAC office.
"Let an example be set, and officers explicitly present there should be suspended. Direct the competent authority to act, and please take cognisance of what is happening. We are here to protect our officers' fundamental rights. We are acting under the law and do not seize for personal gains," he said.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal opposed Mehta's plea and said the case should be heard by the Calcutta High Court first, and proper hierarchy should be followed. He claimed the ED was filing parallel proceedings.
Sibal also referred to the video recording of the raid and said, "It is a blatant lie that all digital devices were taken. Allegation that CM Mamata Banerjee took all devices is a lie, substantiated by ED's own panchnama (search record)."
"The last statement in the coal scam was recorded in February 2024; what was ED doing since then? Why so keen in the midst of elections?" he posed.
The ED's plea in the apex court follows events from January 8, when ED's officials faced obstructions during the probe agency's raids at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Salt Lake and the residence of its chief, Pratik Jain, in Kolkata in connection with a coal smuggling case.
The probe agency has claimed that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee entered the premises and took away "key" evidence related to the probe.
The chief minister has accused the central agency of overreach, while her party, Trinamool Congress, has denied the ED's allegation of "obstructing" its probe. The state's police have registered an FIR against ED officers.

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe into alleged obstruction during I-PAC raids, accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others of seizing key evidence.

ED Seeks CBI Probe Against West Bengal CM for Obstructing Raids

ED Seeks CBI Probe: Mamata Banerjee Accused

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI probe into alleged obstruction during I-PAC raids, accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others of seizing key evidence.

The Enforcement Directorate has approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI probe against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, senior police officials and others after facing obstruction during its raids in Kolkata against political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director.
PTI has reviewed the writ petition of the federal probe agency, wherein it has claimed that these actions led to a "complete takeover" of its search operation by the "state machinery".
There was "direct" involvement of the highest political executive and abuse of police power, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
It urged the high court to "direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register FIR(s) and investigate the entire incident, including the role of the present respondents being the chief minister, police officials, and all persons acting in concert".
The agency added that a probe by the CBI was essential as both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court have consistently held that where the "high and mighty" in the state are involved in the commission of cognizable offences, investigation ought to be transferred to the CBI.
The ED also sought "immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration to lawful custody of the ED" of all digital devices, electronic records, storage media, and documents "illegally and forcibly" taken away from the search premises.
The high court is expected to hear the petition next week.
The ED conducted a search at the Salt Lake office of I-PAC and the Kolkata residence of its founder and one of the directors, Pratik Jain, on Thursday as part of its probe into the alleged coal scam-linked money laundering case. Some other locations in the state and Delhi were also raided.
The federal probe agency had alleged in a press statement on Thursday that Banerjee entered Jain's residence on Loudon Street in Kolkata during the raids and "took away key evidence" and followed the same action at the I-PAC office.
It claimed the chief minister entered the premises despite a "categorical request being made (by ED officials) not to interfere with the ongoing search proceedings under PMLA."
"However, violating all law and order, Mamata Banerjee, with the aid of police personnel, forcibly took possession of all digital devices along with key incriminating documents from the possession of the authorised officer and left the premises around 12:15 PM," it said.
"The search was frustrated, and no seizure was therefore possible. The search was terminated for security reasons and could not be concluded," the ED said.
It claimed in the petition that about Rs 20 crore of hawala funds, generated from alleged coal pilferage in West Bengal, found their way to I-PAC. The organisation has been providing political consultancy to TMC and the state government since 2021.
"Concrete material found during the investigation revealed that at least Rs 20 crore worth of proceeds of crime was transferred to IPAC through hawala channels. In continuation of the ongoing investigation and to trace out the proceeds of crime and utilisation thereof, a search action was initiated against IPAC and certain other entities in relation to the coal smuggling case," the petition said.
ED officials claimed these Rs 20 crore worth "hawala" funds were moved by a Mumbai-based 'Angadiya' firm that got into the crosshairs of the agency during its probe into the Delhi liquor "scam" case involving the Aam Aadmi Party.
It was alleged by the ED that Rs 45 crore kickbacks generated from the Delhi excise policy "scam" were moved by the AAP for its 2022 Goa assembly election campaign. The agency claimed Pratik Jain "handled" IPAC operations in Goa.
The ED said its officials were "not allowed to perform their lawful duties."
It also urged the high court to pass an interim order restraining any access, deletion, cloning, or tampering with the seized digital devices and electronic records, as it sought protection against various FIRs filed by the local police against its officials for this operation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate’s searches at I-PAC chief Pratik Jain’s residence and offices, accusing the Centre of misusing agencies.

I-PAC row: Mamata Banerjee hits streets, leads protest march in Kolkata against ED action

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate&rsquo;s searches at I-PAC chief Pratik Jain&rsquo;s residence and offices, accusing the Centre of misusing agencies.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday began leading a protest march against the Enforcement Directorate&rsquo;s searches at the residence and offices of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain.
Accompanied by senior party leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs and a large number of supporters, Banerjee started the march from the 8B Bus Stand area, amid sloganeering against the BJP-led central government, accusing it of &ldquo;misusing central agencies for political vendetta&rdquo; ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
The rally, which is proceeding towards Hazra More, follows Banerjee&rsquo;s dramatic visit on Thursday to Jain&rsquo;s Loudon Street residence during a search operation by the ED.
The chief minister had alleged that the agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress&rsquo; internal documents, hard disks and confidential organisational data unrelated to any financial investigation.&nbsp;

The Trinamool Congress approached the Calcutta High Court seeking restraint on misuse of documents seized by the ED from I-PAC office and chief’s residence.

TMC Petitions Calcutta HC Against ED Raids on I-PAC Office

TMC Challenges ED Raids in Calcutta High Court

The Trinamool Congress approached the Calcutta High Court seeking restraint on misuse of documents seized by the ED from I-PAC office and chief&rsquo;s residence.

The Trinamool Congress on Friday moved the Calcutta High Court against the ED raids at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the residence of its chief here, seeking restraint on &ldquo;misuse and dissemination&rdquo; of documents seized during the search operations.
The ruling party in West Bengal, in its petition, alleged that the ED seized sensitive and confidential political data meant for the TMC&rsquo;s use in the upcoming assembly elections, in a display of &ldquo;arbitrary, mala fide, and colourable exercise of power&rdquo;.
PTI has accessed the synopsis of the petition, which refers to the probe agency&rsquo;s search and seizure operations under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, on January 8. The ED maintained that the operations were part of a probe into an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam.
&ldquo;The petitioner submits that the seized articles and electronic data consist of confidential political data/information/documents relating to campaign strategy, internal assessments, research inputs, organisational coordination, and electoral roll-related data used for electioneering purposes in the forthcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly Election, 2026,&rdquo; the TMC stated in its petition.
&ldquo;The said materials have no proximate, causal, or even remote nexus with any scheduled offence or alleged proceeds of crime, and do not fall within the scope of investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering, 2002,&rdquo; it said.
The Trinamool Congress alleged that the ED operations were aimed at &ldquo;unlawfully accessing and controlling the petitioner's electoral roll management, campaign planning, and political strategy, with the clear intent to disrupt a free and fair electoral process&rdquo; under the pretext of investigation.
&ldquo;Such targeted seizure amounts to an impermissible intrusion into the petitioner's right to privacy under Article 21 and its constitutional right to participate meaningfully in the democratic process under Article 19.
&ldquo;The petitioner apprehends grave prejudice, misuse, and dissemination of the seized data, which, if not restrained, would irreversibly damage the integrity of the electoral process and undermine constitutional democracy, warranting immediate intervention of this Hon'ble Court,&rdquo; the petition said.

The Enforcement Directorate conducted early morning raids at Al Falah University in Faridabad and multiple Delhi-NCR locations as part of its probe into alleged terror financing linked to the Red Fort blast case.

ED raids Al Falah University, linked persons in Delhi Red Fort blast case

The Enforcement Directorate conducted early morning raids at Al Falah University in Faridabad and multiple Delhi-NCR locations as part of its probe into alleged terror financing linked to the Red Fort blast case.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted simultaneous searches in Delhi-NCR against the trustees and promoters of Al Falah University of Faridabad, the varsity central to the Red Fort area car blast case, officials said.
Multiple teams of the federal probe agency raided at least 25 premises of the Al Falah trust and University establishment since 5:15 am, they said.
Teams of the agency raided an office location in Delhi's Okhla area with a security cordon being provided by the police and paramilitary forces.
Fifteen persons have been killed in the blast that took place on November 10 near the iconic monument in Delhi, and the role of a number of doctors linked to the University and in Kashmir is under the scanner of the anti-terror probe agencies.
"The operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities, use of shell companies, accommodation entities and money laundering. The role of Al-Falah Trust and related entities is under investigation," an ED official said.
The official said "key" personnel overseeing finance and administration of the trust and the University have also been covered in the raids.
The agency has taken cognisance of the first information reports filed by the NIA and the Delhi Police in the case. Till now, the NIA has arrested two persons, stated to be the alleged close aides of "suicide bomber" Dr Umar Nabi.
At least nine shell (dummy) companies linked to the group, all registered at a single address, are under the examination of the ED, according to the officials.
Preliminary findings point to multiple "risk" indicators consistent with shell-company behaviour like no physical presence or meaningful utility consumption at declared places of business and common mobile number and email across various companies and accounts.
The ED investigators have also found absence of EPFO/ESIC filings inconsistent with reported scale of operations and overlapping of directors/signatories and weak KYC trails across entities.
Instances of minimal salary disbursal through banking channels and absence of HR (human resource) records, apart from synchronised incorporation patterns and common contact coordinates across firms, have been detected at the varsity, the officials said.
In addition, prima facie discrepancies have been noted in claims regarding UGC and NAAC recognition, which indicate alleged non-compliance to norms established for educational institutions, the officials said.
The Al Falah varsity is located in the Dhouj area of Haryana's Faridabad district, and it is a medical college-cum-hospital.

The Enforcement Directorate raided Sresan Pharmaceuticals and Tamil Nadu FDA officials in a money laundering probe linked to Coldrif cough syrup, blamed for child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

ED raids Coldrif manufacturer, TNFDA officials

The Enforcement Directorate raided Sresan Pharmaceuticals and Tamil Nadu FDA officials in a money laundering probe linked to Coldrif cough syrup, blamed for child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The ED on Monday raided premises linked to Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup that allegedly caused deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh, and top officials of the Tamil Nadu FDA as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.
At least seven premises in Chennai are being covered by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
The action came after the federal probe agency registered a criminal case under the anti-money laundering law, taking cognisance of police complaints filed against Sresan Pharmaceuticals in Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
At least 22 children, mostly under the age of five, have died after being administered Coldrif in Madhya Pradesh.
Licensed in 2011 by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA), the Kanchipuram-based Sresan Pharmaceuticals continued operations unchecked for over a decade despite its dismal infrastructure and multiple violations of national drug safety rules, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has said.
The cough syrup was found to be "dangerously" adulterated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly poisonous substance.
The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, G Ranganathan, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police on October 9.
Following the children's deaths, the Madhya Pradesh government suspended two drug inspectors and a deputy director of the FDA.
It also transferred the state's drug controller and ordered an investigation into the deaths, while police arrested a doctor from Chhindwara district on charges of negligence.
The Tamil Nadu government has also suspended two senior state drug inspectors and ordered the closure of Sresan Pharmaceuticals.

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches in Chhattisgarh over alleged misappropriation of District Mineral Funds. The investigation, prompted by police FIRs, focuses on numerous locations tied to vendors and alleged fund siphoning.

ED Searches Uncover Alleged Chhattisgarh DMF Scam

In Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate is investigating a potential scam involving the misappropriation of District Mineral Funds. Searches target vendors and officials potentially involved in fund fraud, following multiple police FIRs.

Raids Reveal Chhattisgarh DMF Fund Diversion

The Enforcement Directorate is probing alleged misappropriation of Chhattisgarh's District Mineral Fund. Searches covered 18 locations linked to vendors and officials involved in possible fund diversion.

&nbsp;
Raipur, Sep 3 (PTI) - On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate undertook another round of searches as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation into the alleged misappropriation of the District Mineral Fund (DMF) in Chhattisgarh, according to official sources. At least 18 locations associated with specific vendors, contractors, and purported middlemen are being scrutinized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), these sources confirmed. It is alleged that significant amounts from the DMF were diverted and misappropriated through the Beej Nigam, or Seed Corporation, of Chhattisgarh. The DMF is a trust funded by mining companies, established in Chhattisgarh's districts with the goal of benefiting individuals affected by mining projects and related activities. The money laundering investigation into the suspected DMF scam commenced following the Enforcement Directorate's examination of three FIRs lodged by the Chhattisgarh Police. These FIRs charged the accused with siphoning off government funds in collaboration with contractors, state officials, and political leaders. Previously, the agency has conducted searches in relation to this case.
&nbsp;
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at locations linked to AAP leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in health projects.

Enforcement Directorate Raids Ex-Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in Money Laundering Probe

ED Raids AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj in Laundering Probe

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at locations linked to AAP leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in health projects.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday searched the premises of former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and others as part of a money laundering probe linked to an alleged scam in health infrastructure projects during the previous AAP government in the national capital, official sources said.
At least 13 locations, including those of some private contractors and commercial real estate developers in the National Capital Region, are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
Bharadwaj (45), who is also the Delhi AAP unit chief and national spokesperson of the party, is under investigation in connection with a case registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi in June.
Reacting to the raids, the AAP termed the ED action a &ldquo;diversionary tactic&rdquo; and claimed the case against Bharadwaj is false. &ldquo;The raids are a diversionary tactic. The case pertains to the time when Bharadwaj was not holding any ministerial post. The case is false,&rdquo; senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said.
The ACB had booked Bharadwaj, his party colleague and former health minister Satyendar Jain, private contractors and unknown government officials for alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects during the AAP government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. After the FIR was filed, the AAP accused central agencies of being misused to target its leaders.
The ACB complaint followed allegations by the Delhi BJP in August last year of &ldquo;grave irregularities and suspected corruption&rdquo; in various health infrastructure projects under the Delhi government. It alleged &ldquo;systematic manipulation of project budgets, misuse of public funds and collusion with private contractors&rdquo;.
According to ACB officials, during 2018-19, 24 hospital projects worth ₹5,590 crore were sanctioned, but they remained largely incomplete, with substantial and unexplained cost escalations. Similarly, the ₹1,125-crore ICU hospital project, covering seven pre-engineered facilities with a total of 6,800 beds, is only 50 per cent complete after nearly three years and expenditure of ₹800 crore, despite an initial six-month completion timeline.
ED officials said the searches are based on material collected during the course of investigation and allegations in the FIR regarding large-scale corruption, unjustified cost escalations, unauthorised constructions and misappropriation of funds in health infrastructure projects of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).

ED raids 11 locations across Delhi-NCR and Dehradun in a ₹260 crore global cyber fraud case involving crypto, hawala networks, and impersonation scams.

ED raids in NCR, Uttarakhand in global cyber fraud case

ED raids 11 locations across Delhi-NCR and Dehradun in a ₹260 crore global cyber fraud case involving crypto, hawala networks, and impersonation scams.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple premises in the national capital region and Uttarakhand as part of a money laundering probe linked to a global cyber fraud ring in which Indian and foreign nationals were duped of funds worth crores of rupees, official sources said.
The raids are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and are covering at least 11 premises located in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Dehradun, the sources said.
Fraudsters based in these cities were "cheating" Indian and foreign nationals by impersonating as police or investigating agency officers and they "extorted" money by threatening them with consequences of arrest, they said.
The fraudsters also impersonated as Microsoft and Amazon technical support service agents to "cheat" the victims.
The agency found that the monetary assets of the victims were converted into crypto currencies and transferred to the accused.
The accused generated about Rs 260 crore in the form of Bitcoins in multiple crypto-wallets, which were further liquidated into cash through conversion into USDTs through multiple hawala operators and individuals based in the UAE, according to agency sources.
The money laundering case stems from FIRs registered by the CBI and the Delhi Police.

ED conducts raids at over 35 locations linked to Anil Ambani group and Yes Bank in a ₹3,000 crore money laundering probe involving alleged loan fraud.

ED raids in bank loan 'fraud' against Anil Ambani group companies, Yes Bank

ED conducts raids at over 35 locations linked to Anil Ambani group and Yes Bank in a ₹3,000 crore money laundering probe involving alleged loan fraud.

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged bank loan fraud of Rs 3,000 crore against Anil Ambani group companies and Yes Bank, official sources said.
More than 35 premises in Mumbai and Delhi of 50 companies and about 25 persons are being searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
ED sources said they are probing allegations of illegal loan diversion of around Rs 3,000 crore from Yes Bank between 2017 and 2019.
The ED has found that just before the loan was granted, Yes Bank promoters received money in their concerns, the sources said.
The agency is investigating this nexus of "bribe" and the loan.
The federal agency is probing allegations of "gross violations" in Yes Bank loan approvals to Reliance Anil Ambani Group companies, such as back-dated credit approval memorandums (CAMs), investments proposed without any due diligence/credit analysis in violation of banks credit policy, the sources said.
The money laundering case stems from at least two CBI FIRs and reports shared by the National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and Bank of Baroda, they said.
&nbsp;and 2019. The ED discovered that just prior to the issuance of the loan, Yes Bank promoters allegedly received money in their ventures. The agency is currently scrutinizing this potential link between "bribes" and the loan. The federal agency is also investigating claims of significant irregularities in Yes Bank's loan approvals to Reliance Anil Ambani Group companies. These include backdated credit approval memorandums (CAMs) and investments proposed without any due diligence or credit analysis, in violation of the bank's credit policy. This money laundering case originated from at least two CBI FIRs and reports provided by entities such as the National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), and Bank of Baroda.
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&nbsp;

Enforcement Directorate questions the lack of action by West Bengal and Odisha regarding NRI quota admission forgeries, as revealed by the MEA.

ED Questions Inaction on NRI Quota Fraud

ED highlights inaction in West Bengal and Odisha on NRI quota admission frauds, pointing to MEA's evidence of forgeries. Colleges allegedly used fake documents to admit ineligible candidates, with significant assets already attached.

ED Probes NRI Quota Scam in Medical Colleges

ED criticizes West Bengal and Odisha for not acting against medical admission scam under NRI quota using forged documents.

The Enforcement Directorate Monday said authorities in West Bengal and Odisha did not take any action against admission of ineligible candidates in certain private medical colleges under the NRI quota despite the MEA providing "categorical" information of "forgery".
The federal probe agency said it has seized "incriminating" evidence during searches in this case in the past.
A fixed deposit worth Rs 6.42 crore of a private college in West Bengal has been provisionally attached, the ED said. It had earlier attached assets worth Rs 12.33 crore of some colleges and individuals involved in these alleged irregularities.
Probe has found that the managements of certain private colleges -- offering MBBS, MD and MS courses -- in these states colluded with agents to create "fake" papers for candidates, such as embassy documents of NRIs and family tree, the ED said.
"These private medical colleges were paying agents to prepare fake documents. The agents approached and obtained credentials of unrelated NRIs by paying money and used these to prepare fake documents and projected these NRIs as sponsors for students." "In some cases, the agents and medical colleges used the same set of NRI sponsor documents for two to three different and unrelated candidates," the agency said.
It claimed that this has been done to show compliance with guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in this matter. The ED said "huge commissions" were being paid for this illegal act.
"Despite categorical information of forgery in cases of certain NRI sponsors provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, no action has been taken by concerned state authorities," the probe agency said.
Various Indian consulates/embassies in foreign countries have informed that NRI certificates of sponsor in many cases, which were used to secure admissions in these private medical colleges under the NRI quota, are "not genuine", it added.

Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain appeared before the ED for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to alleged corruption in Delhi Jal Board’s ₹1,943 crore STP projects.

ED questions ex-Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in DJB-linked PMLA case

Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain appeared before the ED for questioning in a money laundering probe linked to alleged corruption in Delhi Jal Board&rsquo;s ₹1,943 crore STP projects.

Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged corruption in the augmentation of some Delhi Jal Board sewage treatment plants, official sources said.
Jain, 60, reached the federal probe agency's office here around 11:15 am and his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) politician has held portfolios like Health, Industries, Power, Public Works Department, Home and Urban Development in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.
This is the third money laundering investigation in which ED is probing the role of Jain.
He was arrested by the agency in 2022 and later chargesheeted in an alleged hawala transactions and possession of disproportionate assets case. Recently, the ED booked him in an alleged classroom construction scam case along with former deputy CM and AAP leader Manish Sisodia.
The investigation in the latest case pertains to allegations of corruption in the augmentation of some sewage treatment plants by the Delhi Jal Board. The ED had conducted searches in this case in July last year.
The money laundering probe stems from an FIR of the Delhi government anti-corruption branch (ACB) against a Hyderabad based company named Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd. and others alleging a scam in the DJB in the name of augmentation and upgradation of 10 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at Pappankala, Nilothi, Najafgarh, Keshopur, Coronation Pillar, Narela, Rohini and Kondli.
According to the ACB, only three JV companies participated in the four tenders issued.
These four tenders valued at Rs 1,943 crore were awarded to various joint venture (JV) entities in October, 2022.
It said, as per the ED, the tendering conditions were made "restrictive" including adoption of IFAS ((Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge) technology to ensure that a select few entities could participate in the four tenders.
The verification of the tender documents shows that the initial cost of four tenders was about Rs 1,546 crore, which was revised to Rs 1,943 crore without following due process/project reports, according to the ED.
The contracts were awarded to three JVs at "inflated" rates which caused "substantive" loss to the exchequer and all the JVs sub-contracted the work related to the four tenders to the Hyderabad company, the agency claimed.

The ED has seized Rs 4 crore in assets linked to Aishwarya Gowda for alleged fraud in Karnataka, involving claimed political ties.

ED Seizes Rs 4 Crore Assets in Karnataka Fraud Case

ED officials have confiscated assets worth Rs 4 crore amidst a money laundering probe against Aishwarya Gowda, linked to fraud allegations.

ED Seizes Rs 4 Crore in Karnataka Fraud Case

ED seized Rs 4 crore from Aishwarya Gowda in Karnataka, accused of fraud using alleged political ties. Gowda falsely claimed kinship with a Congress leader.

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday said it has attached assets worth about Rs 4 crore as part of a money laundering investigation against a Karnataka-based woman, who is alleged to have cheated a number of people by threatening and claiming proximity to "high profile" politicians.
Congress leader D K Suresh, the younger brother of Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, appeared before the federal probe agency and recorded his statement in this case on Monday in Bengaluru.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested the woman -- 33-year-old Aishwarya Gowda -- earlier in April following searches against her, Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and some others.
The provisionally attached properties include flats, building and land worth Rs 2.01 crore apart from cash and Rs 1.97 crore vehicle, the ED said in a statement.
An order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was issued on June 19 for attaching these properties, it added.
The total value of the attached properties is Rs 3.98 crore, the ED said.
The ED did not specify in the statement as to whom the attached assets belonged to.
The money laundering case against Gowda, her husband Harish K N and some others stems from multiple FIRs filed by Karnataka Police against them.
The allegation in the FIRs is that Gowda, her husband and others have entered into a "criminal conspiracy" to defraud and cheat several individuals by taking gold, cash and funds through bank accounts promising high rate of returns, the agency said.
However, it said, that the accused neither returned the money nor gave the promised return and also "threatened" the investors of dire consequences in case of further pursuance of the matter by "claiming her proximity to various high profile politicians".
Gowda is alleged to have used the name of D K Suresh, a former MP, and claimed to be his sister. Suresh had denied knowing her and filed a police complaint against her.
He spoke to the press in Bengaluru before appearing before the agency.
"The ED issued a notice asking me to appear before the investigation officer at 11 am. So, accordingly, I am reaching there. They had sought some information. So, today I am meeting the ED officers with my lawyer," Suresh said.
He said that this case was unrelated to him.
"I am unable to understand why the notice was served to me. I was the one who had lodged a complaint with the police commissioner against the woman, who had orally said that she is my sister. I have no connection with the cheating case," Suresh said.

ED raids Congress leaders over misused Valmiki funds linked to electoral campaigns, affecting Karnataka's ST community initiatives.

ED Raids Congress in Valmiki Scam Case

The ED targets Congress leaders in a crackdown on money laundering linked to the Valmiki scam, misusing funds meant for ST welfare for electoral gains.

ED raids focus on Congress leaders involved in Valmiki scam, revealing misuse of funds for elections, impacting ST welfare in Karnataka.

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches against Congress Bellary MP E Tukaram and three MLAs of the party as part of a money laundering investigation into the alleged Valmiki scam-linked money laundering case, official sources said.
They said five premises in Bellary and three in Bengaluru city are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
These include houses belonging to Tukaram and MLAs Nara Bharath Reddy (Bellary city), J N Ganesh (Kampli) and N T Srinivas (Kudligi).
The sources said the searches are being conducted in order to gather evidence on the allegation that funds siphoned off from the accounts of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation (KMVSTDC) were used for election expenses -- to distribute cash to voters and Congress workers of the Bellary seat during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The money laundering case of 2024 stems from FIRs registered by Karnataka Police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which alleged that funds worth crores of rupees were diverted from the KMVSTDC and sent to "fake accounts" before being laundered through shell entities.
The corporation was established in 2006 with a primary focus on the socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Karnataka by running welfare schemes for them.
The alleged irregularities came to the fore after accounts superintendent of the Valmiki Corporation, Chandrasekharan P, was found dead on May 21 last year. He wrote a suicide note alleging illegal transfer of money from the corporation to various bank accounts.
Former Karnataka tribal affairs minister B Nagendra and five others allegedly linked to him were arrested by the ED in this case. Nagendra later got bail.
Nagendra told the ED that J G Padmanabha, the managing director of the corporation under his ministry, "fraudulently" transferred funds of the corporation without his knowledge or approval from the board. He denied any wrongdoing and said that he did not benefit personally from the siphoned funds.
Padmanabha told the ED that he was acting on the orders of the higher officials, including Nagendra, and he had no real control over the fraudulent activities.
Nagendra, an MLA from Bellary rural seat, resigned as minister in the face of these allegations.
According to an ED chargesheet filed last year, two of Nagendra's personal assistants and an associate "admitted" to handling large sums of money, which aligns with the broader scheme of siphoning funds for electoral purposes.
Nagendra, the agency said, handled a "substantial portion" of the proceeds of crime, primarily in the form of cash, which was used to support activities related to the Lok Sabha elections.
"This cash, siphoned from the Valmiki Corporation, was received and distributed by Vijay Kumar Gowda, personal assistant to B Nagendra, under his direct instructions," the ED said.
Gowda recorded in his statement with the ED that he had handed over cash to the persons instructed by Nagendra which "eventually went to party workers and voters, following instructions from B Nagendra, for the purpose of election-related activities", the agency said.
"To incentivise voters to cast their vote in favour of Sh. E Tukaram, the INC (Congress) candidate, Rs 200 was distributed to each voter.
"Additionally, Rs 10,000 was allocated to each polling booth to compensate the Congress party workers responsible for assisting voters and overseeing the booths," the ED said in its chargesheet filed last year.
The ED claimed that the three MLAs "ensured" that the cash was disbursed to voters and party workers in their respective constituencies and this was " corroborated" by the evidence gathered during the investigation.
It said that a total of 7,40,112 voters in Bellary were given Rs 200 each from the Valmiki funds, totalling more than Rs 14 crore, apart from Rs 10,000 each to party workers in each booth, totalling over Rs 72 lakh.
The probe, the ED earlier said, uncovered a "complex" money laundering operation within the corporation with more than Rs 187.33 crore intended for welfare schemes being fraudulently siphoned off from the corporation's account between March and May last year.

The Enforcement Directorate's searches at institutions linked to Karnataka's Home Minister have sparked political reactions, with Congress suggesting retaliatory motives aligned with central government policies.

ED Searches on Karnataka Institutions Linked to Minister

ED conducts searches at educational institutions linked to Karnataka's Home Minister, sparking political reactions and raising concerns over targeting SC community leaders amid alleged corruption probes.

ED raids institutions tied to Karnataka Minister

ED investigates Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara's linked institutions, sparking political reactions.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at educational institutions linked to Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara in Tumakuru and on the outskirts of Bengaluru, official sources said on Wednesday.
According to sources, the searches were underway at Sri Siddhartha Medical College and Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology in Tumakuru and Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
The reasons for the searches are not yet known.
While Chief Minister did not wish to make any comments on ED searches stating he was not aware of it, Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala while pointing out that Parameshwara was a tall SC leader said that the raids appear to be a desperate attempt to coverup the corruption of previous BJP governments and stifle the voice of those who champion the voice of the oppressed.
"I don't know...I will check and speak," Siddarmaiah said in response to a question on ED raids.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, "I don't know. No way my Home Minister is involved in any such case. He is a decent, simple man...no way Parameshwara is involved in such type of case." "What is there to do it (searches) on educational institutions. I don't have proper information. I get information and react to it," he said.
Congress General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Surjewala said, Congress government in the state has given property ownership to 1 Lakh SC/ST families on Tuesday at Hospet. This raid on Educational institutions of Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara, one of the tallest SC leaders, is a frustrated reaction of BJP and Narendra Modi government at the centre.
"The constant assault on Constitution and leaders of SC/ST and OBC communities across India has become a habitual pattern. The revenge seeking against Parameshwara is part of this sinister design," he said in a post on 'X'.
Siddhartha Institute of Technology in Tumakuru, run by Parameshwara, was set up 46 years ago in 1979 and Siddartha Medical College in Tumakuru was set up 28 years ago in 1988 in the rural hinterland of Tumkuru to light the lamp of education, Surjewala said. He also added, it was indeed surprising that after 46 years of setting up of this institution, Modi government is searching for wrongdoing, while BJP&rsquo;s corruption is being actively investigated by the state's Home ministry and Parameshwara.
"The ED raids appear to be a desperate attempt to coverup the corruption of previous BJP Governments and stifle the voice of those who champion the voice of the oppressed," he said.
"Karnataka Congress will carry forward with the 5 Congress guarantees undeterred and will follow up more rigorously the 6th Congress guarantee of giving ownership of 1 Lakh houses to our brothers and sisters of the SC/ST communities. Truth shall win. Satyamev Jayate," he said.

The Enforcement Directorate's raids on the properties of Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni in Karnataka over fraud allegations draw criticism from CM Siddaramaiah, highlighting claims of a political vendetta.

Properties Linked to Vinay Kulkarni Searched by ED

ED raids related to fraud claims target Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni. CM Siddaramaiah criticizes it as political vendetta, questioning the selective focus while BJP leaders' properties evade scrutiny in Karnataka.

ED raids Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni's properties

ED raids on Vinay Kulkarni's properties spark backlash. CM Siddaramaiah calls it a vendetta, queries selective targeting.

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday raided premises linked to Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni in Karnataka amid allegations linking him to a woman accused of "cheating" a jeweller to the tune of crores of rupees.
Addressing reporters here, Kulkarni said the ED is probing a case against him and alleged that he was being harassed by the agency for the past one month.
&ldquo;There should be some limit to troubling a person. It pains me to see people misusing the power they have&hellip; They want to finish me off politically and cut me off from people,&rdquo; he said.
To a question whether there had been any financial dealings between him and alleged con woman Aishwarya Gowda, he denied it and said if it existed then it can be traced easily.
Criticising the ED action, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called it "political vendetta".
&ldquo;The ED raids are the outcome of politics of vengeance. Centre carries out these kind of raids,&rdquo; he told media in Chamarajanagar.
He sought to know why the ED never raided properties owned by BJP leaders.
&ldquo;Are the BJP leaders upright?&rdquo; he asked.

ED chargesheet against ex-Magadh Univ VC Dr. Rajendra Prasad for Rs 2.66 crore disproportionate assets acquired during tenure.

Chargesheet Against Ex-Magadh VC for Asset Case

ED chargesheet filed against ex-Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajendra Prasad of Magadh University in disproportionate assets case worth Rs 2.66 crore.

ED chargesheet against ex-Magadh Univ VC Dr. Rajendra Prasad for Rs 2.66 crore

ED files chargesheet against ex-Magadh University VC Dr. Rajendra Prasad for Rs 2.66 crore in disproportionate assets, involving family members and a trust.

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said that it has filed chargesheet against an ex-Magadh University vice-chancellor and his family in a disproportionate assets case.
The prosecution complaint was filed against former vice-chancellor of the varsity Dr Rajendra Prasad, his son Dr Ashok Kumar, brother Awadhesh Prasad, and Pyari Devi Memorial Welfare Trust allegedly linked to them.
The chargesheet was filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Patna on April 15 and the court took cognisance on the same day, the federal agency said in a statement.
Dr Rajendra Prasad and his family members could not be contacted for a comment.
The money laundering case emerged from an investigation conducted by the Special Vigilance Unit of Bihar Police against the former vice-chancellor and others.
The Special Vigilance Unit alleged that Rajendra Prasad worked as the vice-chancellor of Magadh University in Bihar's Bodh Gaya between September 2019 and November 2021 and acquired disproportionate assets worth Rs 2,66,99,591 (more than Rs 2.66 crore) during this period.
The probe found that Dr Rajendra Prasad used these funds to acquire five properties "in cash" in the name of his son Ashok Kumar and RP College "represented" by his brother Awadhesh Prasad, the Enforcement Directorate said.
The properties acquired in the name of RP College were "transferred" on lease to Pyari Devi Memorial Welfare Trust, the probe agency said, adding the Trust is owned by Prasad's family.
Some of the "cash" was deposited in the Trust's bank account to portray it as its income, it claimed.
"A well-planned conspiracy has been hatched by Dr Rajendra Prasad involving his family members to project the properties acquired with the proceeds of crime as untainted properties by using the said family-owned Trust as a conduit," the Enforcement Directorate alleged.
The agency had earlier attached assets worth Rs 64.53 lakh as part of the probe.

Congress plans a meeting to address protests against ED's chargesheet on Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, alleging misuse of agencies.

Congress Strategizes Against ED: National Herald Case

The Congress party is set to strategize against Enforcement Directorate charges targeting Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, planning protests to oppose the alleged governmental misuse of agencies for political motives.

Congress plans a meeting to address protests against ED's chargesheet on Sonia and Rahul Gandhi

The Congress party is organizing a meeting to plan protests against ED chargesheets targeting Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, citing misuse of government agencies.

The Congress has called a meeting of all its general secretaries, in-charges and heads of frontal organisations on Saturday to decide the way forward for staging protests against the alleged targeting of party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case.
According to a circular issued by Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal, the meeting will be held at 4 pm at the Indira Gandhi Bhawan here.
The meeting, presided over by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, will deliberate on chalking out its plan for protests and demonstrations against the government over the alleged targeting of the party's top leadership, sources said.
The Congress on Wednesday held protests outside Enforcement Directorate offices across the country over the agency's chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
It alleged that the action against its leaders showed panic and moral bankruptcy of the "despotic" government, which wanted to divert attention from public issues and economic crisis.
The Enforcement Directorate had filed a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others before a special court here in the National Herald case, accusing them of laundering Rs 988 crore.
The prosecution complaint filed on April 9 under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) named Sonia Gandhi, a former Congress president, as the accused no 1, and her son and MP Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as the accused no 2.
Congress workers on Wednesday staged a protest outside the All India Congress Committee's office at 24, Akbar Road, condemning the BJP-led Central government after the ED's chargesheet.

Raids by ED in Chhattisgarh uncover a Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam involving ex-CM Bhupesh Baghel, amidst claims of political motives.

ED Raids Uncover Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam

The ED's investigation into a Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh involves former CM Bhupesh Baghel, amid political controversy.

ED raids ex-CM Baghel's residence in Chhattisgarh liquor scam

ED raids multiple locations in Chhattisgarh for a Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam involving former CM Bhupesh Baghel.

On Monday, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches at 14 locations in Chhattisgarh&rsquo;s Durg district as part of investigations into an alleged liquor scam.
Notable sites included the residences of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son, Chaitanya Baghel.
The ED's operation also extended to close associates of Chaitanya Baghel, with sources indicating that he allegedly received illicit funds linked to the scam. Searches were also conducted at the premises of Laxmi Narayan Bansal.
The liquor scam reportedly involves the diversion of Rs 2,161 crore through various fraudulent schemes between 2019 and 2023, during the tenure of Chhattisgarh&rsquo;s previous Congress government.
As the searches commenced, Bhupesh Baghel&rsquo;s official handle on the social media platform X released a statement suggesting that the raids were politically motivated. The statement alleged a conspiracy aimed at thwarting Baghel&rsquo;s political activities in Punjab, where he now serves as the Congress General Secretary.
The statement emphasized Baghel&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to Punjab, despite alleged efforts to impede the Congress party's operations there. Baghel has made multiple visits to Punjab, holding meetings with local leaders to bolster preparations for the upcoming state elections.
The ED initiated its investigation last year with the filing of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against the alleged mastermind, Anwar Dhebar, the brother of Raipur&rsquo;s mayor, Aijaz Dhebar. Other key figures included in the report are retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja and ITS officer Arun Pati Tripathi, both implicated in operations supplying unaccounted liquor to state-run outlets, resulting in significant financial losses to the government.
Earlier this year, former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma was arrested by the ED for his purported involvement in the scam. Allegations state that Lakhma received Rs 72 crore, part of which was used to fund a Congress office and a personal residence for his son.
The investigation underscores ongoing scrutiny and legal proceedings related to one of Chhattisgarh&rsquo;s major financial scandals, with potential political ramifications amid upcoming election preparations.

ED targets RJD MLA Alok Mehta in a massive probe, revealing potential Rs 85 crore embezzlement from VSV Cooperative Bank, highlighting politics-finance interplay.

ED raids RJD MLA Alok Mehta's premises in money laundering probe over bank fraud

Enforcement Directorate investigates RJD’s Alok Kumar Mehta for an alleged Rs 85 crore fraud. Raids shake up Bihar’s political and financial spheres. Will Mehta’s political mastery help him navigate these turbulent allegations?

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ED raids properties linked to RJD MLA Alok Mehta in a money laundering probe tied to Rs 85 crore embezzlement at Vaishali Shahri Vikas Bank. Mehta, a former Bihar minister, is a senior member of the RJD.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches across multiple states, including Bihar, targeting premises linked to an RJD MLA, in connection with a money laundering investigation. The investigation concerns an alleged embezzlement of funds at the Vaishali Shahri Vikas (VSV) Cooperative Bank, with about Rs 85 crore reportedly misappropriated.
The ED conducted searches at 18 locations, including in Bihar, West Bengal (Kolkata), Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Among the locations searched were those tied to RJD MLA and former Bihar minister Alok Kumar Mehta, who is also the promoter of the VSV Cooperative Bank.
The money laundering probe follows a series of FIRs filed by the state police against the bank and its office-bearers for alleged financial misconduct. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had previously conducted a verification of the bank and identified the diversion of funds.
Mehta, a senior leader of the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), represents Ujiarpur in the Bihar Assembly. He has also served as the state's minister for revenue and land reforms. No immediate comment has been made by him or the party regarding the searches.

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