The Enforcement Directorate has attached Rs 35.8 crore from over 300 bank accounts in a case against Jitender Tejabhai Hiragar and others. The funds, identified as the proceeds of crime from betting, gambling, and other illegal activities, were held in these accounts, officials said on Monday.
The investigation originated from 448 primary bank accounts that were opened using forged documents of unsuspecting individuals. By following the money trail, the federal agency scrutinized more than 995 first-layer bank accounts involved in transactions exceeding Rs 1,000 crore.
The ED’s case is based on an FIR originally filed by the Ahmedabad City Police Crime Branch against Hiragar and his associates.
According to the ED’s investigation, the bank accounts opened with forged documents were handed over to a well-organized racket. These “dummy” accounts were used to facilitate high-volume transactions linked to illegal online betting, gambling, and other associated activities, cheating gullible individuals.
The attached sum of Rs 35.80 crore represents the remaining balance in the bank accounts used for these illegal operations.
Further investigation is underway.