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.

Islamabad, April 1: In yet another shocking crime details emerging from Pakistan, four men allegedly gang raped a woman in a van that moved around the Baga Sheikhan area which comes under the jurisdiction of Rawat police in Pakistan’s Punjab province, local media reported.

A police spokesperson said special teams have been set up to arrest the accused and raids were being conducted. He further mentioned that victim’s medical examination has been conducted, Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn reported.

The victim’s mother filed an FIR with the police on Sunday, stating that her 19-year-old daughter, who has been married for five years, went to the market to buy clothes for her children for Eid. After reaching Chak Beli Morr, she boarded a wagon to go to Rawat Bazaar.

During the journey, the conductor allegedly closed the door and turned the vehicle back towards Chak Beli Road. According to the FIR, the conductor overpowered the victim after she raised an alarm. The van then moved towards Chak Beli Road, where she was made to board another van by one individual, while the driver was identified as “S”.

The accused then took the victim to the Baga Sheikhan area, where they stopped near a house and tried to forcibly take her inside. As per the FIR, another accomplice was called to the spot. Thereafter, all four accused allegedly took turns to assault her in the vehicle while driving on different roads around Baga Sheikhan. Later, they dropped the victim near Chak Beli Morr.

The complainant stated that the accused threatened her daughter and recorded her video. Police has lodged a case and started a probe into the matter.

Earlier this month, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) revealed that 258 rape cases were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 2025. However, only one conviction was recorded.

HRCP revealed the fresh statistics in a 2025 human rights report launched at the Peshawar Press Club, Dawn reported. During the launch of the report, the council’s provincial president Izharuddin Khan said that around five per cent of women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faced violence regularly. He stated that about 30 per cent of gender-based violence cases were reported while nearly 70 per cent remained unreported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Khan mentioned that harassment cases were also reported in universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that female students were not safe from gender-based harassment. According to the report, harassment complaints were made in University of Peshawar and University of Malakand. He said that traditional practices such as swara, the giving of girls in marriage to settle disputes, was still practiced in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the report, there was rise in digital harassment, with about 160,000 cybercrime cases reported in 2025. However, officials said these showed only cases where victims knew about cybercrime reporting techniques while an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of incidents went unreported due to lack of knowledge.

Representatives of the council urged the government to introduce legislation to safeguard rights of women and ensure their safety. They urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to approve women’s empowerment policy and implement laws addressing acid attacks and domestic violence. They also called for setting up special courts and dedicated funds to tackle cases related to gender-based violence and demanded stronger measures to empower women and protect their rights.

Thane, April 1: In a high-stakes operation, the Thane Crime Branch (Unit-3, Kalyan) has arrested a notorious 55-year-old history-sheeter and social media personality, Surendra Pandurang Patil, following the discovery of a massive arsenal of illegal weapons and counterfeit currency hidden in his luxury residence.

Acting on a confidential tip-off, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Sarjerao Patil conducted a strategic raid at Patil’s residence, Ekvira Bungalow, located in the Shri Dhanlakshmi Apartment complex in Dawdi, Dombivli (East).

The search revealed a sophisticated, secret compartment built into a wardrobe within a hidden bedroom, accessible through a concealed entry behind a shoe rack on the fifth-floor terrace. From this “mini-armory,” police recovered:

Firearms: 3 country-made pistols, 1 sixer revolver, and 2 air guns.
Ammunition: 405 live cartridges, 167 lead pellets, and 1 empty magazine.
Bladed Weapons: 2 sharp iron swords, 3 iron choppers (koytas), 1 sharp dagger, and 1 button knife.

Other Items: 2 iron rods, 2 mobile phones, and ₹3,52,000 in counterfeit Indian currency (both old and new denominations). The total value of the seized assets is estimated at approximately ₹12,21,000.

Surendra Pandurang Patil, a construction businessman by profession, has gained notoriety as an Instagram “Reel Star.” However, his digital fame masks a long-standing criminal history.

According to police records, Patil is a habitual offender with over a dozen cases registered against him at various stations, including Manpada, Kolshewadi, Dombivli, and Mahatma Phule Chowk.

His extensive criminal record includes charges for:
Attempted murder and grievous assault.
Arms Act violations.
Cheating, criminal intimidation, and trespassing.
Violations under the Maharashtra Police Act.