ED Attaches ₹3.48 Crore Properties In Indore Fake Bill Scam

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached nine immovable properties worth ₹3.48 crore in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation into the Indore Municipal Corporation fake bill scam.

The attached properties include residential houses, flats, residential plots, commercial shops, and agricultural land in Indore and Dhar district. These properties are held in the names of suspects, beneficiaries, their family members, and co-owners.

The ED initiated the investigation based on multiple FIRs registered at MG Road Police Station, Indore, relating to the fraudulent withdrawal of public funds from the IMC treasury through fake bills, forged work orders, fabricated measurement books, and other falsified records for works that were either not executed or had already been completed under genuine work orders.

The investigation revealed that contractor firms, in connivance with IMC officials and officials of the Local Fund Audit Resident Audit Department, prepared and processed forged work-order files and fake bills, fraudulently siphoning off ₹103.62 crore from the IMC treasury. The fraudulently obtained funds were subsequently withdrawn in cash, distributed among contractors, public servants, and other beneficiaries, transferred to related entities, intermingled with other funds, and used for acquiring assets and meeting personal expenses.

Earlier, the ED had issued a provisional attachment order in July 2025, attaching 43 immovable properties worth about ₹33.65 crore in the case. With the latest attachment, the total value of immovable properties provisionally attached in the case has reached ₹37.14 crore.

The ED had also conducted searches on the premises linked to the suspects and associated entities, leading to the seizure and freezing of cash, valuables, and other assets worth about ₹22.04 crore. The total attachment and seizure in the case now stands at ₹59.18 crore.

The ED had also arrested Abhay Singh Rathore, Mohd. Zakir, and Rahul Badera in June 2026. The three remain in judicial custody.

The ongoing investigation and attachments are a significant step towards uncovering the truth behind the Indore Municipal Corporation fake bill scam and bringing those responsible to justice. The case highlights the need for increased vigilance and transparency in government transactions to prevent such large-scale frauds.

The ED's actions in this case demonstrate the agency's commitment to combating money laundering and corruption. The attachments and seizures will help to deprive the accused of their ill-gotten gains and prevent them from using these assets for further illicit activities.

In conclusion, the ED's latest attachment of properties worth ₹3.48 crore in the Indore fake bill scam case is a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The total attachment value of ₹37.14 crore and the seizure of assets worth ₹22.04 crore demonstrate the extent of the fraud and the ED's efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in government dealings. It also highlights the need for effective measures to prevent corruption and money laundering, which can have far-reaching consequences for the economy and society as a whole.

As the investigation continues, it is likely that more details will emerge about the scam and those involved. The ED's actions in this case will be closely watched, and the outcome will have significant implications for the accused and the broader fight against corruption in India.