Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two persons for allegedly cheating investors in Gujarat and Maharashtra of around Rs 300 crore through digital investment schemes and laundering the proceeds. A court has remanded the accused Sudhir Kotadiya, 33, and his cousin, Umang Kotadiya, 27, from Amreli to ED custody till March 20.

The money laundering case was registered based on an FIR initially filed at the Vartak Nagar police station in Thane and later transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

Investigators allege the accused operated a large-scale digital investment scheme through several entities, including Qfonn App Limited, Qfon Connect India LLP, Qfon Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and Qfon Ajobman India LLP, among other related firms.

ED prosecutor Arvind Aghav, seeking their custody, told the court that the accused had been absconding, prompting authorities to issue a look-out circular.

He said the duo fled to Dubai and later re-entered India via Nepal to evade legal action before being traced and arrested in Gujarat.

According to investigators, the accused lured people to invest by promising monthly returns ranging from 2% to 10.5%, claiming the income would be generated through online advertisement viewing and app-based digital activities.

The probe found that funds from new investors were used to pay returns to earlier investors, while a significant portion was allegedly siphoned off.

One investor who had put in Rs 183 crore provided details of about 60 companies, entities and individuals whose bank accounts were allegedly used to collect nearly Rs 55 crore on the instructions of the accused.

The ED claims Sudhir Kotadiya was the mastermind behind the Qfonn app-based Ponzi scheme and held 25% shares in Qfonn App Limited, with another 25% held by his wife, Ranjanben Kotadiya, while the remaining shares were with other family members.

Umang Kotadiya allegedly handled operations, serving as director or partner in multiple Qfon group entities and acting as an authorised signatory for several bank accounts linked to the scheme.

Mumbai: Authorities in Mumbai have busted a gas cylinder black-marketing racket in Worli and seized several LPG cylinders during an operation, Mumbai Police said. The action comes at a time when concerns over cooking gas availability have triggered panic bookings in parts of the country.

During the raid, officials recovered six filled and 58 empty HP Gas cylinders along with several other cylinders from the location. Police said the stock was being illegally stored inside residential premises. The seized cylinders have been handed over to Worli Police Station, where further legal action is being initiated against those involved in the illegal storage and distribution.

Officials stated that storing and selling LPG cylinders outside authorised channels poses serious safety risks, especially in residential areas where such stockpiling can lead to fire hazards and other emergencies. Authorities are now investigating the source of the cylinders and the possible distribution network linked to the racket.

The development comes amid heightened demand for LPG across the country, the Union government on Friday said it is ensuring uninterrupted supply of cooking gas to households despite a surge in panic bookings. Consumers have been advised not to rush to dealerships or place unnecessary refill orders.

At a media briefing on Friday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said fears of a shortage have led to a sudden spike in LPG cylinder bookings in recent days, even though supplies remain adequate across the country. She emphasised that LPG distributors currently have sufficient stocks and that supply chains are functioning normally.

The government has also advised nearly 60 lakh households located near piped natural gas (PNG) networks to consider switching to piped connections for convenience. Sharma warned that strict action will be taken against hoarders and black marketers attempting to exploit the crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

While LPG supply to households, hospitals, and educational institutions continues to be prioritised, supplies to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants have been curtailed due to disruptions in energy sourcing linked to the geopolitical tensions in the region.

To stabilise supply, the Centre has increased domestic production by 30 per cent since March 5 by diverting refinery streams to maximise cooking gas output. Additionally, around 20 per cent of commercial LPG supplies have been placed with state governments and Union Territories, allowing local administrations to decide priority allocation based on regional requirements.

Mumbai: A 50 kg per hour cremation system (Aatsh Kada) for the cremation of small animals and birds has been set up at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Tata Trusts Animal Hospital and is now ready for operation. The facility will enable safe and eco-friendly disposal of animal carcasses, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr (Summit) Ashwini Joshi said on Tuesday. Assistant Commissioner (South) Swapna Kashirsagar, Head of Veterinary Health Department Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, Director of the Hospital Mehrnoosh Kapadia, Head of Hospital Administration and Services Maj Gen Pramod Batra and others were present on the occasion. Various initiatives are being implemented by the Veterinary Health Department of Mumbai Municipal Corporation to enhance animal welfare services. For this purpose, a small animal hospital is being run by Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation in Mahalaxmi. The four-storey hospital has four well-equipped operating theatres, a separate surgery department with expert veterinary surgeons, a treatment capacity of about 200 animals, general ward, ICU and high dependency unit, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities like MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasonography, ED labology and ED lab. It also has special treatment facilities like blood bank, dentistry, dermatology, ophthalmology, endoscopy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for animals. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwani Joshi said on the occasion that it is the leading hospital in the country with multi-purpose service facilities, state-of-the-art diagnostic and small animal treatment facilities under one roof. Such state-of-the-art veterinary facilities have given a big boost to the veterinary healthcare system in Mumbai. Standard facilities for the treatment of pets and small animals have been provided. The hospital has also made arrangements for the scientific disposal of animal carcasses and bio-medical waste. An incinerator system with a capacity of 50 kg per hour has been set up for the cremation of small animals and birds and is now ready for operation. This facility will enable safe and environmentally friendly disposal of animal carcasses. He added that it will also have significant public health benefits.