Pune, July 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune Police has extradited and arrested Avinash Arjun Rathod, the mastermind behind a Rs 88 crore investment fraud case, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after completing the required international legal procedures.

Rathod is accused of duping investors of nearly Rs 88 crore by luring them with promises of unusually high returns.

According to officials, Rathod had been absconding for a prolonged period, prompting investigating agencies to initiate legal proceedings at the international level.

A Red Corner Notice had been issued against him, following which he was traced and detained by authorities in the UAE.

After being brought back to India, Rathod was formally arrested by the Pune Police’s Economic Offences Wing at Mumbai International Airport before being taken to Pune.

He was subsequently produced before a court, which remanded him to 10 days of police custody for detailed interrogation.

Police said the case was originally registered at Chatushringi Police Station in Pune in 2023 under Crime No. 281/2023. The FIR invoked Sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, banker, merchant or agent) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (MPID) Act.

The complaint was lodged on April 20, 2023, following which the investigation was transferred to the Economic Offences Wing of Pune City Police.

During the course of the investigation, police found that Avinash Arjun Rathod, director of Baner-based APS Wealth Ventures LLP, along with his wife, Vishakha Avinash Rathod, allegedly induced investors to deposit money by assuring them of attractive and high returns within a short period.

Although formal investment agreements were executed with investors, the promised returns were allegedly never paid and the invested amounts were not refunded.

According to investigators, the complainant alone had invested Rs 86,37,500 in the company, which was allegedly never returned. As the probe progressed, investigators found that the alleged fraud extended far beyond a single investor, with a large number of people being persuaded to invest in similar schemes. The total alleged fraud is estimated to be around Rs 88 crore.

Soon after the case was registered, Avinash Rathod and his wife allegedly absconded. Suspecting that the duo might flee abroad, the police initiated preventive measures and issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against both accused on April 24, 2024, to prevent them from leaving the country or facilitate their arrest upon arrival in India.

Subsequently, the Special MPID Court at Shivajinagar in Pune issued Standing Arrest Warrants against both accused under Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Proceedings under Section 82 of the CrPC to declare them Proclaimed Offenders were also initiated. Investigators later filed a chargesheet before the court, and the passports of both accused were suspended as part of the legal process.

Despite extensive searches conducted across the country, investigators were unable to trace the accused, prompting them to seek assistance from international agencies.

On June 4, 2026, a Red Corner Notice was issued against both Avinash Rathod and Vishakha Rathod. Acting on the notice, authorities in the UAE detained Avinash Rathod.

Officials said Rathod was extradited to India on July 23, 2026. Upon his arrival at Mumbai International Airport, he was formally arrested by the Pune Police’s Economic Offences Wing before being taken to Pune and produced before the court, which granted his custodial remand for 10 days.

The Economic Offences Wing has now intensified its investigation into the financial trail of the alleged fraud. Investigators are trying to ascertain how the approximately Rs 88 crore collected from investors was utilised, whether the money was diverted into properties or other assets, whether any funds were transferred abroad, and the extent of the involvement of other associates in the alleged network.

Officials believe that Rathod’s custodial interrogation could lead to significant disclosures regarding the alleged investment fraud, including details about the movement of funds and the wider network involved in the operation.

Pune Police also said efforts are underway on a priority basis to secure the return of the remaining accused, who are believed to be hiding abroad.

Investigators are maintaining close coordination with international agencies to complete the legal process for their extradition.

New Delhi, July 25: Delhi Police has invoked the charge of attempted murder in the FIR registered at Kartavya Path Police Station in connection with the violence that erupted near Rail Bhawan and Parliament during the July 20 protest march.

The case incorporates several serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to police, the FIR was lodged on the complaint of an Inspector posted at Kartavya Path Police Station and documents the sequence of events that unfolded on Rafi Marg during the protest.

The FIR states that the complainant was deployed on duty at C-Hexagon, Zone-11 (Pink Booth), from 5:00 a.m. onwards as part of the security arrangements in the high-security zone.

As per the complaint, after receiving information over the wireless network, the police team rushed to the barricades near the Rail Bhawan roundabout, where thousands of protesters had assembled.

The FIR further states that repeated announcements were made through loudspeakers informing the gathering that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force and that permission had not been granted for the protest.

Despite the repeated warnings, the protesters allegedly refused to disperse and continued raising slogans, according to the FIR.

Police have further alleged in the complaint that certain individuals in the crowd instigated protesters to breach the barricades and move towards Parliament.

According to the FIR, protesters allegedly surrounded police personnel and assaulted them, besides hurling slippers and stones at the security forces deployed at the site.

The complaint further alleges that the mob attacked police personnel with the intention to kill, resulting in injuries to several officers deployed for law and order duties.

The FIR also alleges that public property, along with several private vehicles, was damaged during the violence.

According to the police, in view of the security requirements around Parliament and other key government establishments, personnel resorted to a lathi-charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Officials said the case has been registered under 13 provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 109(1) relating to attempted murder, along with offences pertaining to assault on a public servant, obstruction in discharge of official duty, unlawful assembly, rioting, damage to public property and acts endangering human life.

Police said a total of 129 police personnel and more than 60 protesters sustained injuries during the clashes that took place on July 20.

In the aftermath of the violence, Delhi Police has deployed 18 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) across various routes as part of enhanced security arrangements.

Officials further said that around 15 FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the incidents linked to the protest.

Delhi Police also stated that if any allegations are made by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) or any other individual or organisation regarding the incident, those claims will be examined and investigated, and the findings will be made public.

Patna, July 25: In a major breakthrough in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case, the police have arrested the alleged kingpin of the racket, Bijendra Gupta, from Bihar.

Another accused, Indrajeet Singh alias Piku, was also taken into custody during the operation.

Both had been absconding for a prolonged period and were apprehended by a special team of the Bhiwandi Police following a targeted operation in Bihar.

According to a police official, Bijendra Gupta had managed to evade arrest despite continuous raids and search operations conducted by investigating agencies.

Acting on specific intelligence, the Bhiwandi Police tracked down the accused in Bihar and successfully arrested both Gupta and his associate.

Investigators described the arrests as a significant milestone in the ongoing probe into the alleged examination fraud.

Following his arrest, Bijendra Gupta was flown from Bihar to Pune Airport, where elaborate security arrangements had been made.

He is being escorted under heavy police protection to Bhiwandi, where investigators are expected to produce him before a court and seek police custody for detailed interrogation.

Officials believe custodial questioning could provide crucial information about the operation of the paper leak network and help identify other individuals involved.

Investigating agencies consider Bijendra Gupta to be a central figure in the alleged paper leak syndicate.

Police expect his interrogation to shed light on the planning and execution of the alleged paper leak, the identities and roles of other members of the network, the methods used to facilitate the alleged examination fraud, and the geographical reach and operational structure of the syndicate.

Authorities believe the investigation may uncover additional links to other individuals connected with the case.

The investigation will extend beyond the alleged paper leak itself.

Police are also examining the financial aspects of the racket, including the movement of funds, sources of financial support, and the channels through which the network allegedly operated.

Officials hope that tracing the money trail will help expose the broader conspiracy and identify additional beneficiaries or collaborators.

According to investigating agencies, Bijendra Gupta’s name has surfaced in several other high-profile examination paper leak cases in the past.

Police officials stated that multiple accused—including Gupta’s wife—had already been arrested earlier in connection with the Maharashtra TET paper leak investigation.

However, Gupta had remained absconding until his arrest in Bihar.

With the alleged mastermind now in custody, investigators expect the next phase of the probe to provide fresh leads and potentially reveal the full extent of the examination fraud network.