News for 'Federal Investigation Agency'

How to avoid digital arrest scams? Govt issues advisory

How to avoid digital arrest scams? Govt issues advisory

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The advisory depicted the logos of social media platforms like WhatsApp and Skype to showcase that calls for such scams are made using such platforms.

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Tahawwur Rana lands in Delhi, NIA records arrest

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India on Thursday after being "successfully extradited " from the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane on Thursday evening, ending days of speculation of when and how he will be extradited, officials said. The NIA said in a statement that it had secured the successful extradition after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring to justice the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem that claimed 166 lives. Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the the three-day terror siege of India's financial capital.

New Orleans attacker inspired by ISIS, toll rises to 15

New Orleans attacker inspired by ISIS, toll rises to 15

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The death toll has now risen to at least 15 people in the New Orleans 'act of terrorism' after a car rammed into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the early hours of Wednesday (US local time), CNN reported.

Missing Indian-origin student was seen with man on the beach

Missing Indian-origin student was seen with man on the beach

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

A 20-year-old Indian student, Sudiksha Konanki, has gone missing while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. US federal law enforcement agencies are working with Dominican authorities to investigate her disappearance. Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, was reported missing on March 6 while vacationing with friends in Punta Cana. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is assisting in the investigation, which includes a review of surveillance video, telephone records, and interviews with anyone who may have seen Konanki. The LCSO has filed for a Yellow Notice (worldwide police alert for a missing person) to be issued by INTERPOL. While Dominican officials believe Konanki may have drowned in the ocean, the LCSO cautions against drawing any unsubstantiated conclusions. The investigation is ongoing.

Pak agency wants Kasab declared as fugitive

Pak agency wants Kasab declared as fugitive

Rediff.com13 Mar 2010

A Pakistani anti-terror court conducting the trial of seven suspects for their involvement in the 26/11 attacks accepted an application from the prosecution for Ajmal Kasab to be declared a fugitive and adjourned the case for a week on Saturday.

FBI chief condemns Pahalgam attack, pledges full support to India

FBI chief condemns Pahalgam attack, pledges full support to India

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

Kash Patel pledged full support to India, calling the act a reminder of the constant threats that the world faces from the evil of terrorism.

'By hosting 2036 Olympics, India will make a statement'

'By hosting 2036 Olympics, India will make a statement'

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics is not merely an attempt to make a statement internationally but also a well thought out plan to create world-class infrastructure, said Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse.

ED raids 'Empuraan' producer over Rs 1,000 cr FEMA case

ED raids 'Empuraan' producer over Rs 1,000 cr FEMA case

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

"L2: Empuraan", the second part of the "Lucifer" movie, a trilogy planned by the Prithviraj-Mohanlal team, has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and the covert mention of the Gujarat riots.

ED conducts raids in case linked to Senthil Balaji

ED conducts raids in case linked to Senthil Balaji

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in Tamil Nadu on Thursday as part of a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), including the purported role of its minister Senthil Balaji. The raids covered the offices of TASMAC, its employees, corporate offices of distilleries and plants, as well as "key associates" linked to Balaji, but not the minister's premises. The ED is looking into liquor sale transactions and the role of alleged middlemen in connection with TASMAC. Balaji, the minister for electricity, is also in charge of TASMAC, which holds a monopoly over liquor trade in the state. The agency is also investigating Balaji's role in an earlier money laundering case linked to the "cash for jobs scam" in the state transport department. He was arrested in that case but is currently out on bail.

ED seizes 'biggest' crypto fund worth Rs 1,646 crore

ED seizes 'biggest' crypto fund worth Rs 1,646 crore

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized its biggest-ever cryptocurrency worth Rs 1,646 crore in a money laundering investigation into a fraud investment scheme called BitConnect. The scheme, which ran between 2016 and 2018, promised investors high returns through a proprietary trading bot but was found to be a sham. The ED tracked transactions through the dark web and seized the cryptocurrency from numerous wallets. This is the agency's largest-ever seizure of virtual digital assets and the investigation is ongoing.

Herald case: Political damage fear drove YI, AJL donations, alleges ED

Herald case: Political damage fear drove YI, AJL donations, alleges ED

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that some Congress leaders pressured individuals to donate funds to the Young Indian and Associated Journals Limited (AJL) on instructions from senior party functionaries. The ED's chargesheet in the National Herald case claims that these individuals made payments to the company "under the influence" from senior leaders who promised them "certain favours" in party politics. The chargesheet, filed on April 9 before a local court, names Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as accused, along with five others, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleges that these donations were not made voluntarily but in expectation of political benefits. The ED also found that YI and AJL received funds from various entities through "quid pro quo" arrangements, where individuals were asked to make payments for advertisements in the National Herald in exchange for past favours from Congress leaders.

ED nabs Cong ex-MLA in Rs 500 cr scam after midnight brawl at Delhi hotel

ED nabs Cong ex-MLA in Rs 500 cr scam after midnight brawl at Delhi hotel

Rediff.com5 May 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested former Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker from a five-star hotel in Delhi following a brief scuffle. Chhoker, along with his sons, is accused of defrauding over 1,500 homebuyers and siphoning off over Rs 500 crore through their real-estate companies. The ED had been seeking Chhoker's presence in the investigation since May 2022. The politician was caught at the Grappa Bar of the Shangri-La hotel on Ashoka Road. He is currently in ED custody for six days.

ED grills Robert Vadra for 6 hrs on Day 3; to file chargesheet soon

ED grills Robert Vadra for 6 hrs on Day 3; to file chargesheet soon

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the third consecutive day on Thursday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a 2008 Haryana land deal. The ED has been investigating Vadra in connection with a land deal in Haryana's Manesar-Shikohpur, where a company he was a director of purchased land from Onkareshwar Properties and later sold it to DLF for a significantly higher price. The case has been embroiled in controversy since 2012, with allegations of corruption and nepotism surrounding the deal. The ED is expected to file chargesheets in all three cases being investigated against Vadra.

ED grills Vadra for 5 hrs in land case; more quizzing on Wednesday

ED grills Vadra for 5 hrs in land case; more quizzing on Wednesday

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Vadra has been questioned multiple times by the federal probe agency in a different money laundering case.

Police name person of interest in Sudiksha Konanki case

Police name person of interest in Sudiksha Konanki case

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

US authorities have identified a 24-year-old man as a person of interest in the case of a 20-year-old Indian student who has gone missing during a spring break visit to the Dominican Republic. Sudiksha Konanki, a citizen of India and a permanent resident of the United States, was last seen on March 6 at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Konanki's hometown in Virginia, said Joshua Riibe was seen with Sudiksha at a resort before she went missing. While Konanki's father has asked local authorities to broaden the investigation, authorities maintain that the case is not a criminal investigation and Riibe is not considered a suspect. However, he is considered a person of interest as he was the last one to be seen with Konanki. The Dominican Republic National Police has established a "high-level commission" to oversee the investigation and will be reinterviewing "targeted individuals" who were seen near or with Konanki at the time of her disappearance.

Ding Lost Deliberately: Russia

Ding Lost Deliberately: Russia

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

'The match,' asserted FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, 'has been played at the highest standards of fair play, no investigation is required.'

Seized cash, gold worth Rs 52 cr belonged to MP ex-cop, claims ED

Seized cash, gold worth Rs 52 cr belonged to MP ex-cop, claims ED

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India has declared that cash and gold worth approximately Rs 52 crore, seized from an abandoned SUV in Madhya Pradesh last year, belonged to former state transport department constable Saurabh Sharma. The ED's statement ends months of speculation about the ownership of the seized assets and comes as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption charges against Sharma. The agency has also attached assets worth Rs 92.07 crore belonging to Sharma and his associates, alleging they were acquired through illegal means.

India, Pakistan attempted to interfere in Canada's polls, alleges spy agency

India, Pakistan attempted to interfere in Canada's polls, alleges spy agency

Rediff.com6 Apr 2024

India has strongly rejected as "baseless" allegations of its interference in Canadian elections and asserted that the core issue has been Ottawa's meddling in New Delhi's internal affairs.

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

ED probes agents' network facilitating Indians' illegal US entry via Canada

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a complex network of agents and facilitators in India, Canada, and the US who assist Indians in illegally entering the US through fraudulent admissions to Canadian colleges. Over 8,500 financial transactions are under scrutiny by the ED in a case related to money laundering, stemming from a 2023 Gujarat Police crime branch FIR. The investigation includes international financial companies involved in remittances abroad, with the ED conducting 35 searches in the past year and seizing assets worth Rs 92 lakh. The issue has gained significant attention following the deportation of 104 Indians from the US on Wednesday. The investigation is linked to the tragic death of an Indian family in January 2022, who perished while attempting to cross the Canada-US border illegally. The ED has identified a network of agents and facilitators who manage and facilitate the stay, transportation, visa arrangements, and legal matters of illegal immigrants who gained admission to Canadian colleges through fraudulent means. The investigation has revealed that the fees paid to Canadian colleges were remitted back to individuals' accounts, with around 8,500 transactions identified between September 2021 and August 2024. The ED suspects that approximately 370 individuals have entered the US using this illegal immigration scheme. The agency has recorded statements from parents and guardians of students enrolled in Canadian colleges and continues its investigation.

Top scientist behind Russia's Sputnik V vaccine 'strangled to death'

Top scientist behind Russia's Sputnik V vaccine 'strangled to death'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

Andrey Botikov, one of the scientists who helped to create the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, was strangled to death with a belt at his apartment in Moscow and police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder, according to a Russian media report on Saturday.

ED raids Raj Cong leader, Punjab AAP MLA in Rs 48,000 cr PACL scam

ED raids Raj Cong leader, Punjab AAP MLA in Rs 48,000 cr PACL scam

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on the premises of Rajasthan Congress leader and former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Punjab AAP MLA Kulwant Singh as part of a money laundering probe linked to the Rs 48,000-crore PACL Ponzi scam. Khachariyawas, who served as a minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, claimed the ED action was politically motivated due to his criticism of the government. Singh, a real estate promoter, is reported to be Punjab's richest MLA with assets worth Rs 1,000 crore. The ED has been investigating the PACL scam since 2015, alleging that the company defrauded investors of Rs 48,000 crore through fraudulent investment schemes.

National Herald case: ED moves to seize Rs 661cr assets linked to Sonia, Rahul

National Herald case: ED moves to seize Rs 661cr assets linked to Sonia, Rahul

Rediff.com12 Apr 2025

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each one of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back.

Crypto use suspected in terrorism, secessionist activities: FIU report

Crypto use suspected in terrorism, secessionist activities: FIU report

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

A trends study conducted by India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has expressed suspicion that cryptocurrency is being used across the country in serious criminal acts like terrorist financing, fuelling secessionist activities, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, illegal betting and gambling. The report, which was based on suspicious transaction reports and operational analysis, shared these trends and credible intelligence with law enforcement agencies.

Engineer Rashid back in Tihar jail, bail plea deferred

Engineer Rashid back in Tihar jail, bail plea deferred

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

ASJ Chander Jit Singh underscored he would first consider the issue of jurisdiction and whether or not to transfer the case to a special court meant to try lawmakers, considering Rashid was now an MP.

ED seeks confiscation of Rs 661cr assets in National Herald case

ED seeks confiscation of Rs 661cr assets in National Herald case

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the Associated Journals Limited-Young Indian-National Herald money-laundering case, seeking confiscation of assets worth Rs 661 crore and appending statements of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The agency has accused the Gandhis of orchestrating a conspiracy to illegally obtain the underlying assets of AJL by the beneficial owners of YI (Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi). Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have denied any wrongdoing and said the takeover of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) by Young Indian (YI) was not for commercial purposes. The Congress has slammed the chargesheet, alleging that the ED action against its leaders shows panic and moral bankruptcy of the "despotic" government, while the BJP has continued to call out the role of the Gandhi family in the matter.

Bills for federal agency, tougher laws tabled

Bills for federal agency, tougher laws tabled

Rediff.com16 Dec 2008

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill aims at strengthening the arrangements for speedy investigation, prosecution and trial of cases related terrorism while at the same time guarding against any possible misuse of such provisions.

ED to restore Rs 15K cr to victims of frauds; returns Rs 31,951 cr so far

ED to restore Rs 15K cr to victims of frauds; returns Rs 31,951 cr so far

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has earmarked assets worth about Rs 15,000 crore that will be restored to victims of real estate, Ponzi and other frauds across India during the current financial year. The agency has been "aggressively" initiating this provision for restitution since last year to ensure rightful claimants duped by financial crime get their dues. The ED has already restored Rs 31,951 crore worth of assets under this provision, including Rs 15,201.65 crore from 2019-21 in cases related to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL). The ED Director has issued directions to all regions to actively work on cases marked for restitution of assets worth Rs 15,000 crore during the financial year 2025-26.

ED probes Canadian colleges, Indian entities in US human trafficking case

ED probes Canadian colleges, Indian entities in US human trafficking case

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the involvement of Canadian colleges and Indian entities in a money laundering case linked to the trafficking of Indians into the US from the borders of Canada. The probe stems from the death of an Indian family who died trying to illegally cross the Canada-US border in January 2022. The ED has alleged that accused individuals arranged admissions for Indians in Canadian colleges, but the students never joined the institutions after obtaining student visas. The ED has conducted searches at multiple locations in India and found that two entities were involved in facilitating admissions for Indians in foreign universities on a commission basis. The agency suspects that several Canadian colleges near the Canada-US border are involved in the trafficking racket.

Kash Patel becomes first Indian-American to lead FBI

Kash Patel becomes first Indian-American to lead FBI

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Dan Scavino, Assistant to the President and White House Deputy Chief of Staff on Thursday said that United States President Donald Trump has officially signed the commission to confirm Kash Patel as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Canada leaked Nijjar info to Washington Post, didn't tell citizens

Canada leaked Nijjar info to Washington Post, didn't tell citizens

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Top Canadian officials have reportedly admitted to leaking details about India's interference to The Washington Post, but these specifics were not shared with Canadians, The Globe and Mail newspaper reported.

Drug lord wanted by FBI arrested in Ludhiana

Drug lord wanted by FBI arrested in Ludhiana

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Punjab police have arrested an Indian-origin transnational drug lord, wanted by the FBI in connection with one of the largest narcotics seizures in the US. Shehnaz Singh, also known as Shawn Bhinder, had been operating under the guise of a transportation business in Canada since 2014 and allegedly facilitated the movement of drugs from Colombia to the US and Canada via Mexico. Bhinder was arrested in Ludhiana, Punjab, after he had managed to give a slip to FBI sleuths and clandestinely landed in India. He was wanted by the FBI in connection with a seizure of 391 kg methamphetamine, 109 kg cocaine, four sophisticated weapons, and vehicles from six of his associates on February 26, 2025.

Family of missing Indian student wants her declared dead

Family of missing Indian student wants her declared dead

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The family of missing 20-year-old Indian student Sudiksha Konanki has asked police in the Dominican Republic to declare her dead, according to US media reports. Konanki was last seen on March 6 at the Riu Republic Resort in Punta Cana town. She has gone missing while on vacation in the Dominican Republic and US federal law enforcement agencies are working with authorities in the Caribbean country in the probe into her disappearance. Despite an extensive search, her body has not been found.

Pakistan Helped US Nab This Terrorist

Pakistan Helped US Nab This Terrorist

Rediff.com5 Mar 2025

Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, is an ISIS-K member and was directly responsible for the killing of 13 US soldiers and roughly 170 Afghans at the Hamid Karzai international airport's 'Abbey Gate' on August 26, 2021.

Sonia, Rahul conspired to usurp Rs 2,000-cr AJL assets: ED

Sonia, Rahul conspired to usurp Rs 2,000-cr AJL assets: ED

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the National Herald case, accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of a "criminal conspiracy" to "usurp" properties worth Rs 2,000 crore of its public company AJL by transferring 99 per cent shares for just Rs 50 lakh to their private company Young Indian. The ED has named Sonia Gandhi as accused no 1 and Rahul Gandhi as accused no 2 in the chargesheet, which was filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Why ED slapped Rs 611-cr notice on Paytm

Why ED slapped Rs 611-cr notice on Paytm

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday said it has issued a Rs 611 crore show cause notice to Paytm's parent company and linked entities for "contravention" of the FEMA on various counts.

Illegal Bangladeshi infiltration case: ED raids in Jharkhand, Bengal

Illegal Bangladeshi infiltration case: ED raids in Jharkhand, Bengal

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

A total of 17 places are being covered in the two neighbouring states by the Jharkhand office of the federal probe agency.

And Thus Was Born NIA...

And Thus Was Born NIA...

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

Even though the NIA claims that more than 90 per cent of cases charge-sheeted have ended in conviction, the figure is likely misleading. To date, very few cases investigated by the NIA have resulted in a completed trial, points out former CBI joint director Navneet Rajan Wasan.

Crackdown On Illegal Travel Agents Begins

Crackdown On Illegal Travel Agents Begins

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

Enforcement Directorate officials said on Friday they are probing a 'complex network' of agents and facilitators in India, Canada and the US who help Indians illegally enter the US via 'bogus' admissions in Canadian colleges.

Pak court cancels Imran Khan's bail in election commission protest case

Pak court cancels Imran Khan's bail in election commission protest case

Rediff.com15 Feb 2023

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf activists staged a protest after Khan was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan in the prohibited funding case last year.

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Kash Patel, the first Indian-American to head the FBI, has traced his roots to Bhadran village in Gujarat's Anand district. Patel's family migrated to Uganda 70 to 80 years ago, before selling their ancestral houses and moving to foreign countries. Patel was born in New York and is a trained lawyer who is an ice-hockey fan.