Taking major action in the money laundering case related to digital arrest on 14 February 2026, the Jalandhar Zonal Office of ED has temporarily attached the bank balance of Rs 1.76 crore. This action has been taken under PMLA. This investigation was started on the basis of FIR registered in Cyber Crime Police Station of Ludhiana. Investigation revealed that businessman S. P. Oswal was duped of Rs 7 crore by threatening him with digital arrest.
Extorted money by pretending to be a CBI officer
It is alleged that the thugs extorted money from Oswal by pretending to be CBI officers. The money was transferred from them citing fear and legal action. According to ED, the defrauded amount was diverted through bank accounts opened in the names of several others.
Investigation revealed that accused Rumi Kalita and Arpit Rathore were operating these accounts. On August 28, 2024, money related to eight other cyber crimes was also deposited in the account of M/s Frozenman Warehousing and Logistics.
Rumi Kalita, along with Atanu Choudhary, used the bank account of this firm to launder the illegal amount. Suspicious amount was also credited to the accounts of M/s Riglo Ventures Private Limited.
What else is revealed in ED’s investigation?
Investigation also revealed that some amount was diverted through shell companies and sent abroad. For this, methods like trade-based money laundering were used. Virtual digital assets (crypto etc.) were purchased with the remaining money.
The Rs 1.76 crore which ED has frozen. That amount was lying in the bank account of a mule company named M/s Mrityunjya Multitrade. According to the agency, this account was being used to receive and transfer money for various cyber frauds.
Investigation also revealed that many Mule accounts were opened in the names of poor and economically weak people. On the pretext of getting them a loan or a job, their documents were taken and the money was fraudulently transferred by getting them opened bank accounts.
ED had raided in the year 2025
In this case, ED had raided different places on 31 January 2025, 22 December 2025 and 31 December 2025. Accused Rumi Kalita was arrested on 23 December 2025. Arpit Rathore was arrested on 31 December 2025. Both are currently in judicial custody. ED says that the matter is being investigated. The agency is trying to find out who other people are connected to this network.
