Archive · 3 Sep 2026
ED Searches 14 Premises Over Alleged NHAI Toll Fraud
The Enforcement Directorate searched 14 places because it suspects that toll money was collected using a dishonest computer system.
Officials say unauthorised software may have created fake toll receipts.
They also say some of the collected money was kept outside the government’s normal records.
The searches happened in several Indian states and regions.
Investigators are looking for computer data, papers and information about who may have benefited.
The toll investigation comes from an FIR and a later money-laundering report.
In a separate case, the ED froze investment units worth about Rs 3.31 crore.
It says those investments were connected to money allegedly obtained using forged property papers.
These are allegations under investigation, not final findings by a court.
The Enforcement Directorate searched 14 premises across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata.
The searches concern alleged fraudulent toll collection at National Highways Authority of India plazas and were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED alleges unauthorised software generated fake toll receipts and diverted collections outside official accounting systems, with forensic and NHAI records reportedly supporting the claim.
Investigators are seeking digital and documentary evidence, identifying alleged beneficiaries and tracing suspected proceeds of crime; the agency has not disclosed the suspects.
Separately, the ED attached 62,914.316 HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund units valued at about Rs 3.31 crore in the Akshatha Minerals money-laundering case.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate’s Lucknow Zonal Office is investigating suspected beneficiaries and others linked to alleged toll fraud. A separate attachment involves Akshatha Minerals Pvt Ltd, its directors and others.
- What
- The ED searched 14 premises over alleged unauthorised toll collection and separately attached HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund units allegedly representing proceeds of crime.
- When
- The toll searches took place on Wednesday, September 2. The related FIR is dated January 22, 2025, and the ECIR is dated May 19, 2025. The separate fund attachment was reported on Tuesday, with the order dated September 1.
- Where
- The toll searches covered Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata in West Bengal. The separate attachment was handled by the ED’s Bengaluru Zonal Office.
- Why
- The ED alleges that unauthorised software diverted toll collections and that forged property documents were used to obtain bank credit in the separate Akshatha Minerals case.
- Toll-search locations
- Fourteen premises were searched across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Kolkata.
- Legal authority
- The toll searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
- Case references
- The investigation stems from FIR No. 17 dated January 22, 2025, and ECIR No. ECIR/ASZO/04/2025 dated May 19, 2025.
- Alleged toll method
- The ED alleges that unauthorised software generated fraudulent receipts and diverted toll collections outside the official accounting mechanism.
- Evidence sought
- Investigators are seeking digital and documentary evidence, alleged beneficiaries and suspected proceeds of crime.
- Attached investment
- The ED attached 62,914.316 units of the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund.
- Attachment value
- The units had a reported market value of approximately Rs 3.31 crore.
- Other reported ED actions
- Separate reports also described searches in a Parimatch betting investigation and a search linked to alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission irregularities.
Sources
ED searches 14 premises in Delhi-NCR, UP, Rajasthan in fraud toll collection case
5-state raids in highway toll fraud case: ED probes fake NHAI toll receipts scheme
ED Conducts Searches In Maharashtra, 6 Other Regions Over Alleged Toll Fraud
