10 hrs ago
ED Searches 14 Premises Over Alleged NHAI Toll Fraud
The Enforcement Directorate searched 14 places because it suspects that toll money was collected dishonestly.
Officials say unauthorised computer programs may have created fake toll receipts.
They also suspect that some of the money was sent outside the official accounting system.
The searches took place in several Indian states and regions.
Investigators are looking for computer records, documents and people who may have benefited.
In a separate case, the agency froze investment units worth about Rs 3.31 crore.
It says the investment came from money connected to a loan obtained using allegedly forged property papers.
These matters are allegations being investigated under India’s money-laundering law.
The Enforcement Directorate searched 14 premises across seven regions over alleged fraudulent toll collection at NHAI plazas.
The agency alleges unauthorised software generated fraudulent receipts and diverted toll collections outside official accounting systems.
The searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with investigators seeking digital and documentary evidence.
Separately, the ED attached 62,914.316 HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund units valued at approximately Rs 3.31 crore.
The attached investment was allegedly linked to a Rs 1 crore transfer involving Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd and forged property documents.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate is investigating suspects linked to alleged toll fraud and Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd, its directors and others in the separate asset-attachment case.
- What
- The ED searched 14 premises over alleged unauthorised toll collection and separately attached HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund units allegedly representing proceeds of crime.
- Where
- The toll searches covered Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, the National Capital Region and Kolkata in West Bengal. The separate attachment was conducted by the ED’s Bengaluru Zonal Office.
- When
- The toll searches took place on a Wednesday; one report dated them September 2. The separate fund attachment and related announcement were reported on Tuesday, with one report identifying the attachment order as dated September 1.
- Why
- The ED alleges that unauthorised software diverted toll collections and that forged property documents were used to obtain bank credit in the separate case.
Key facts
- Toll-fraud operation
- The ED searched 14 premises across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, the NCR and Kolkata.
- Legal authority
- The searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
- Investigation records
- The toll case refers to FIR No. 17 dated January 22, 2025, and ECIR No. ECIR/ASZO/04/2025 dated May 19, 2025.
- Alleged method
- The ED alleges that unauthorised software generated fraudulent toll receipts and diverted collections outside the official accounting system.
- Attached investment
- The ED attached 62,914.316 units of the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund.
- Value of attachment
- The units were valued at approximately Rs 3.31 crore.
- Alleged money trail
- The ED said Rs 1 crore was transferred from Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd to the Catholic Diocese of Bellary Trust on February 13, 2010, and later invested through HDFC Mutual Fund schemes.
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
India’s federal financial crimes investigation agency
“Investigation revealed that Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd, engaged in trading and export of iron ore, had availed credit facilities of about Rs 6 crore from Bank of India by creating an equitable mortgage over six properties. One of the properties situated at Jayamahal, Bengaluru, was falsely represented as being owned by late Lakshmamma. Forged and fabricated Khata records, tax-paid receipts, betterment charge receipts and other revenue documents were allegedly submitted to the bank for creation of”
republicworld.com
“Rs 1 crore, forming part of the Proceeds of Crime, was transferred from the bank account of Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd to the Catholic Diocese of Bellary Trust on February 13, 2010.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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