Daijiworld Media Network - Indore
Indore, Jul 25: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached nine immovable properties worth Rs 3.48 crore in connection with the alleged Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) fake bill scam. The action was taken by the agency's Indore Sub-Zonal Office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of its ongoing investigation into the multi-crore fraud.
According to the ED, the attached assets comprise residential houses and flats, residential plots, commercial shops and agricultural land situated in Indore and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh. The properties are registered in the names of the accused, alleged beneficiaries and their family members or co-owners.
The money laundering investigation stems from multiple FIRs registered at MG Road Police Station in Indore. The cases relate to the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of public funds from the Indore Municipal Corporation through fake bills, forged work orders, fabricated measurement books and other falsified official records.
Investigators alleged that in several cases, payments were released for works that had either never been executed or had already been completed under legitimate work orders, resulting in wrongful withdrawal of government funds.
The ED's investigation has found that contractor firms allegedly conspired with officials of the Indore Municipal Corporation, along with personnel from the Local Fund Audit and Resident Audit Department, to prepare forged work-order files and fraudulent bills. Through this alleged conspiracy, public funds amounting to Rs 103.62 crore were siphoned from the municipal treasury.
According to the agency, the proceeds of crime were subsequently withdrawn in cash and distributed among contractors, public servants and other beneficiaries. Part of the money was allegedly routed through related entities, mixed with legitimate funds and later used to acquire assets and meet personal expenses.
The latest attachment follows an earlier provisional attachment order issued by the ED on July 3, 2025, under which 43 immovable properties valued at around Rs 33.65 crore were attached in the same case.
With the addition of the nine newly attached properties, the total value of immovable assets provisionally attached in the investigation has now increased to approximately Rs 37.14 crore.
The ED also stated that searches conducted under Section 17 of the PMLA at premises linked to the accused and associated entities resulted in the seizure and freezing of cash, valuables and other assets worth nearly Rs 22.04 crore.
As a result, the cumulative value of assets attached and seized during the investigation has reached approximately Rs 59.18 crore.
Earlier, on June 1, 2026, the agency arrested three accused—Abhay Singh Rathore, Mohd. Zakir and Rahul Badera—under Section 19 of the PMLA. All three are currently in judicial custody.
The Enforcement Directorate said further investigation into the alleged municipal scam is continuing.