Crime
CBI Probe Flags Senior Maharashtra Cops’ Alleged Links To Shell Firms In Fake Call-Centre Case
Mumbai: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into fake call-centre fraud has unearthed an alleged nexus between two senior Maharashtra police officers and a pool of more than 10 shell entities allegedly used to route and layer proceeds of international cyber fraud operations. Investigators are examining what they describe as a structured financial network designed to legitimise illicit funds generated through fake call-centre activities operating from Igatpuri and other parts of Maharashtra.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, an Inspector General of Police (IGP)-rank officer is under intense scrutiny in the said probe.The officer’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Ashok Kharat case too, where he was identified as allegedly providing protection to the self-styled godman to shield him from legal action.
In the Igatpuri fake call-centre case, the officer is being probed for allegedly extending protection arrangements extended to illegal call-centre operations. Officials said that he is believed to be among the alleged beneficiaries of proceeds generated through international cyber fraud networks
A serving police commissioner posted in another district is also being examined for alleged links to the same network.
Investigation findings indicate that the IG-rank officer and his associate police commissioner are allegedly connected to more than 10 shell entities, including Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and private companies. While these firms are registered across sectors such as real estate, hospitality, and consultancy, officials said many appear to have no legitimate commercial activity. According to the officials they were created primarily to “clean” illicit cash generated through illegal operations of the fake call center.Officials further suspect that the Shell firms network may also have been used by the senior police officials for proceeds linked to extortion, political liaisoning, case settlements, and collection of protection money (“hafta”)
When confronted, the IG-rank officer admitted to setting up companies in the names of family members but claimed the ventures “did not work out.” However, when confronted with documents related to the shell firms, including alleged fake addresses and high turnover figures, the officer declined to comment further, stating he would consult legal counsel. He stated that he had not yet received formal summons from the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Officials said the shell entities are linked to family members of the senior police officer, including his wife, daughter, and son, as well as close associates. Some individuals from bureaucratic and politically influential families are also alleged to be listed as partners in certain shell firms. Officials said the agency is also analysing the operational mechanisms of the networks, including the manner in which collections were coordinated and funds were transferred across the state.
A detailed review of corporate filings has reportedly revealed a complex and interlinked network of firms, most of which were incorporated over the past four years.
According to agency sources, the entities being examined include firms providing financial consultancy, real estate & infra, hospitality, retail, fuel and chemicals.
A detailed analysis of the Registrar of Companies (RoC) records indicated the repeated appearance of a small cluster of designated partners across multiple firms operating in diverse sectors. While these entities claim to function in distinct industries, investigators have flagged several ‘red flag’ indicators, including overlapping ownership patterns, shared registered addresses, and interconnected corporate structures.
Officials said the preference for the LLP structure is a key aspect under examination. LLPs offer flexibility in capital contribution, profit-sharing, and disclosure requirements compared to traditional private companies.Investigators believe these features may have been leveraged to facilitate the movement and layering of funds across multiple sector-specific corporate vehicles, while maintaining a fragmented corporate trail.
CBI sources said the probe is gaining momentum, with investigators closely tracking financial records, corporate filings, and transaction trails to map the scale and structure of the suspected network.While no formal charges have been filed so far, the allegations remain under detailed examination.
Crime
Delhi Police bust illegal gambling den in Model Town, apprehend 10

The Delhi Police have busted an illegal gambling network in the Model Town area of North-West Delhi and apprehended 10 people allegedly involved in gambling activities, officials said on Friday.
The Anti-Burglary Cell of the North-West District Police conducted the raid and recovered Rs 11,300 in cash, a mobile phone used for online satta parchi writing, 244 satta slips, five carbon papers, three writing pads, a calculator and three pens.
According to the police, the operation was carried out on October 28 following secret information about illegal gambling activities involving the writing of satta parchis at Rajpura, Gudmandi, Delhi, also known as Raddi’s Adda, under the jurisdiction of Model Town police station.
Acting on the information, a team from the Anti-Burglary Cell conducted a raid at the identified location and apprehended 10 people who were allegedly found actively participating in gambling activities.
The police team comprised ASI Rakesh, Head Constables Ajay and Rajpal, and Dharamraj.
During the raid, the police recovered Rs 11,300 in cash and several items used in the gambling operation. These included a mobile phone suspected to have been used for online satta parchi writing, 244 satta parchis, five carbon papers, three writing pads, one calculator and three pens.
Following the operation, an FIR (No. 413/26) dated October 28 was registered at Model Town police station under Sections 12 and 9/55 of the Gambling Act, as mentioned in the police statement.
The 10 apprehended persons have been identified as Tazuddin, 39, a resident of Rajpura, Gudmandi; Mahender, 42, also a resident of Rajpura, Gudmandi; Deepak, 42, of New Gupta Colony, Model Town; and Aasha Ram, 45, of Old Gupta Colony, Model Town.
The other accused have been identified as Mahesh, 53, of Kabir Nagar; Mohit Kumar, 25, of Rajpura, Gudmandi; Ashok Kumar, 49, who lives at Sonu Ka Makan in Yadav Chowk, Rajpura, Gudmandi; Giriraj, 44, of Rajpura, Gudmandi; Suraj, 47, of Rajpura, Gudmandi; and Umesh, 35, who resides at Bittu Ka Makan in Rajpura, Gudmandi.
The police said the operation was part of their efforts to curb illegal gambling activities in the district.
Further investigation is underway.
Crime
Tiger Shroff firing case: 12th accused arrested from Sonipat, money trail under scanner

The Mumbai Police have arrested another accused from Haryana’s Sonipat district in connection with the firing incident targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff’s car, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 12, including nine people from Sonipat.
The latest accused, identified as Amar, was arrested from Rohna village in Sonipat. The arrest has further strengthened the Sonipat connection in the case, with investigators examining financial transactions and links between the accused.
According to the investigation, Amar is a friend and neighbour of Kunal, who was arrested earlier in the case. Police investigations have revealed that Kunal allegedly transferred Rs 40,000 to Amar’s bank account.
Amar subsequently transferred Rs 12,000 to Radha’s bank account, another accused arrested earlier, allegedly on Kunal’s instructions.
The Mumbai Police are now investigating these financial transactions to establish the purpose of the transfers and determine the connections between the accused. The money trail is being examined as part of the wider investigation into the firing incident.
Amar, who studied up to Class 10, works at a supplements shop. His parents reportedly earn their livelihood through daily-wage labour.
Following his arrest, the Mumbai Police produced Amar before a court and are preparing to take him to Mumbai on transit remand for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Amar’s family has claimed that he is innocent and alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case.
With nine of the 12 arrested accused reportedly belonging to Sonipat, the district has emerged as a key focus of the Mumbai Police investigation.
The police are examining the financial dealings and personal connections among the accused to establish the sequence of events and identify the roles played by individual suspects.
Meanwhile, encrypted messaging platforms Signal and Zangi were allegedly used by the accused to communicate. Police officials are facing significant challenges in decoding these digital exchanges, as tracing conversations conducted over the past eight months is considered crucial to uncovering the alleged conspiracy.
Crime
Delhi Police bust scholarship fraud targeting TN residents; two arrested, data of 54,000 contacts recovered

The Delhi Police have arrested two men for their involvement in a scholarship fraud targeting Tamil-speaking residents of Tamil Nadu and recovered a mobile phone containing data of approximately 54,000 contacts, including that of the complainant.
The accused, identified as Sachin Sharma, 29, and Sumit, facilitated the movement of the cheated money through a mule bank account in exchange for commission. The case was worked out by the East District Cyber Police Station through an analysis of banking records, ATM CCTV footage and digital evidence.
According to the police, the case originated from a complaint filed by Muthu Kumar, a resident of Tamil Nadu, who was allegedly offered a scholarship for higher education. On the pretext of securing the scholarship, he was induced to transfer approximately Rs 17,989 online on September 1.
The complainant subsequently reported the incident on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The financial trail led investigators to a Bank of India account from which the money was withdrawn through an ATM in East Delhi. An FIR was registered under Sections 112(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the investigation, police examined bank records and ATM footage and identified Sachin as the person who withdrew the money. He was arrested on October 17. During interrogation, he disclosed that he had provided his sister’s ATM card and UPI access details to Sumit in exchange for commission.
Sachin withdrew Rs 10,000, transferred Rs 8,000 through the UPI details provided by Sumit and received Rs 3,000 as commission. He claimed that he was unaware that the money was linked to cyber fraud.
Based on his disclosure, police arrested Sumit on October 21 and recovered a Samsung S26 mobile phone. Examination of the device revealed Excel files shared through WhatsApp containing details of approximately 54,000 contacts, including the complainant’s information.
Police said Sumit disclosed that a woman known to him had sent the files on August 6. She allegedly targeted Tamil-speaking families whose children had completed school and were seeking admission to higher education, using scholarship offers to induce them to transfer money.
Sumit claimed that he was asked to print the contact database and arrange a bank account to receive the ‘cheated money’. He allegedly handed over the funds to the woman and an associate.
The role of the woman and her associates is under investigation. Police are examining the recovered device to identify additional victims, financial transactions and other links to the suspected network.
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