BJP-Linked Member Arrested In ₹21 Crore Cyber Fraud Case

A district panchayat member from Shajapur, Jagdish Kumar Malviya, has been arrested by the Madhya Pradesh Cyber Police in connection with a ₹21 crore cyber fraud case in Gwalior. The case came to light after a 70-year-old chartered accountant, Ashok Vijayvargiya, was allegedly duped on the pretext of cryptocurrency investment.

The suspect, Malviya, allegedly received ₹50 lakh of the cheated amount in his bank account, according to police. The victim was contacted by a woman in December 2025, who gained his trust before offering high returns through crypto investments. Over a period of around 218 days, the suspect allegedly convinced him to transfer ₹21.05 crore into multiple bank accounts.

When Vijayvargiya tried to withdraw his money, he was asked to deposit more funds. Realising that he had been cheated, he approached the State Cyber Police. During the investigation, police found that ₹50 lakh from the fraud amount was transferred to Malviya’s bank account. The money was later moved to several other accounts.

Police arrested Malviya and brought him to Gwalior after obtaining his remand from the court. Investigators found that the victim had carried out 106 transactions through 76 bank accounts. The money allegedly passed through 15 layers before reaching more than 20,000 bank accounts. Around 35% of the amount was reportedly transferred to accounts in different parts of South India.

Malviya is a retired Indian Army personnel and is associated with the BJP. He is also reportedly holding a state-level position in a social organisation. Investigators found suspicious transactions of more than ₹2.5 crore in his bank account. Malviya had recently travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, and agencies suspect that his bank account may have been used in other cyber fraud cases as well.

State Cyber Police Inspector Mukesh Naroliya said questioning of the suspect has helped investigators trace links to an interstate cybercrime network. Teams have been sent to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to investigate the money trail and identify other people involved. Police are now searching for more suspects linked to the network and suspected mule accounts.

The arrest of Malviya has shed light on the large-scale cyber fraud that has been taking place in the country. The case highlights the need for people to be cautious when investing in cryptocurrency and to be aware of the risks involved. Further investigation may reveal more details about the cyber fraud and the people involved.

The incident has also raised questions about the involvement of politicians and public figures in cybercrime. The fact that Malviya is a BJP-linked district panchayat member has sparked controversy and has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability in public life.

In conclusion, the arrest of Jagdish Kumar Malviya in the ₹21 crore cyber fraud case is a significant development in the investigation. The case highlights the need for people to be vigilant and cautious when investing in cryptocurrency and to be aware of the risks involved. It also raises questions about the involvement of politicians and public figures in cybercrime and the need for greater transparency and accountability in public life.