ED & CBI Major Investigations 2026: Comprehensive Weekly Update on Enforcement Actions, Political Probes, NCR Builder-Bank Nexus & Homebuyer Fraud

Introduction

This weekly update consolidates the most significant enforcement actions and investigative developments by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) across India. The coverage spans money laundering cases, corruption probes, real estate fraud, builder-bank nexus investigations, homebuyer protection matters, political investigations, and parallel proceedings under different statutes. A risk assessment for NCR-based real estate projects and guidance for prospective homebuyers in Delhi-NCR is also included.

Chapter I – Enforcement Directorate (ED): Weekly Investigation Updates

1. UAPA Case Involving Foreign Funding

A case has been registered in Bengaluru on the basis of an ED complaint, targeting a US-based missionary organization along with certain individuals. Investigators allege that approximately INR 95 crore was channelled into India through nearly 1,000 foreign debit cards, purportedly to fund religious conversion activities and support operations linked to Maoist networks.

The ED has recorded unprecedented enforcement activity, with highlights including:

  • Registration of a record number of fresh investigations
  • Attachment of assets exceeding INR 81,000 crore
  • Significant increase in disposal of long-pending matters

Most relevant ongoing ED-linked corporate investigations include:

  • Ansal-linked land and real estate probes
  • Homebuyer fraud cases connected to developers
  • Money laundering investigations in Delhi-Noida real estate
  • Cases involving diversion of project funds and stalled housing developments

3. Asset Attachment Statistics

The ED's enforcement numbers reflect its strongest performance to date:

Parameter Figure
Cases involving asset recovery 1,080
Total assets attached INR 81,423 crore
Funds returned to banks, investors & homebuyers INR 32,678 crore

These figures represent among the ED's most significant enforcement outcomes recorded till date.

4. Major Active Investigations

The ED's primary investigation focus areas currently include:

  • Money laundering probes connected to real estate transactions
  • Political funding irregularities and GST fraud cases
  • Large-scale asset attachments and financial trail investigations
  • Delhi-NCR searches, Punjab-linked corporate investigations

5. Key Takeaway – ED (2026)

The defining story of the ED's 2026 enforcement calendar has been the dramatic expansion of money laundering enforcement, record-breaking asset attachments, and the recovery of substantial funds for the benefit of banks, investors, and homebuyers across India.

6. Risk Watchlist for NCR Homebuyers & Investors

Highest Current Regulatory Risk:

  • Raheja Developers
  • Jaypee Infratech Ltd.
  • Earth Infrastructures Ltd.

ED's Separate Investigations Against Politicians

7. Madan Mitra – Investigation Update

The ED conducted searches at 7 locations associated with Madan Mitra as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in municipal-level recruitment processes.

8. T. Veena – Investigation Update

  1. Veena was summoned by the ED in connection with the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL) money laundering probe, which concerns alleged payments made to her company.

9. Raj Kesireddy – Investigation Update

  • Raj Kesireddy was arrested in connection with the Andhra Pradesh liquor and transport scam, which involves alleged laundering of approximately INR 195 crore in proceeds generated from government-linked contracts.
  • The ED reportedly traced luxury assets, including premium watches and high-value vehicles, allegedly constituting Proceeds of Crime (PoC).

10. Jharkhand Treasury Scam – Investigation Update

The ED has entered the Jharkhand Treasury Scam investigation, with investigators tracing alleged laundering of funds that were reportedly siphoned from state treasury systems.

11. Punjab Political-Business Money Laundering Cases

  • The ED arrested Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora and subsequently conducted searches as part of investigations into alleged money laundering and GST fraud.
  • Search operations were extended to premises located in Delhi-NCR as well.

ED's Separate Investigations Against Corporate Entities

12. Sateesh Seth – Investigation Update

  • Sateesh Seth was taken into ED custody in connection with an ongoing financial investigation.
  • A Mumbai court granted ED transit remand of Sateesh Seth in connection with the same investigation.

Quick-commerce platform Zepto disclosed in its IPO filing documents that its founders had received ED summons earlier in the year in relation to a FEMA-related inquiry.

14. Ansal Properties & Infrastructure Ltd. – Investigation Update

The ED attached land parcels valued at approximately INR 598 crore in a money laundering case concerning alleged irregularities in Haryana land transactions.

15. Hampton Sky Realty Ltd. – Investigation Update

  • Investigations are ongoing in a money laundering probe involving Punjab-based businessman Amit Bajaj and persons associated with political networks; searches have extended to Delhi-Noida.
  • ED search operations continued at premises linked to Amit Bajaj in connection with alleged money laundering involving a real estate company and its associated entities.
  • The enforcement action has generated notable political reactions in Punjab.

16. Heera Group – Investigation Update

ED arrested promoter Nowhera Shaik in a case involving alleged investor fraud exceeding INR 3,000 crore.

17. Satinder Singh Bhasin – Investigation Update

Promoter Satinder Singh Bhasin was arrested in connection with allegations of cheating homebuyers.

18. Vinesh Chandel – Investigation Update

ED arrested co-founder Vinesh Chandel in a case involving alleged laundering of proceeds traced to a coal-smuggling operation.

19. Ocean Seven Buildtech – Delhi-NCR

  • ED investigations into PMAY-linked housing projects resulted in searches across the Delhi-NCR region.
  • The ED alleges diversion of homebuyers' funds, cancellation of bookings without refunds, and resale of already-booked units at inflated prices.

20. Major Bank Fraud Asset Attachment

The ED attached assets worth over INR 60 crore in connection with an alleged INR 1,400 crore bank fraud involving a textile manufacturing company.

21. Raheja Developers – Investigation Update

  • ED conducted searches at multiple NCR locations.
  • The probe focuses on alleged diversion of funds and project delays affecting thousands of homebuyers in the Raheja Revanta project.

22. Jaypee Infratech Ltd. – Investigation Update

  • ED attached assets worth approximately INR 100 crore in connection with alleged diversion of homebuyers' funds.
  • The investigation covers the large-scale Wish Town development along the Noida Expressway.
  • This case has significant implications for thousands of homebuyers awaiting possession of their units.

23. Earth Infrastructures Ltd. – Investigation Update

  • In a homebuyer fraud probe, the ED seized over INR 6 crore in cash and valuables during searches at locations linked to promoters and former directors of Earth Infrastructures Ltd.
  • Delhi-NCR searches were conducted in connection with real estate money laundering allegations involving claims that homebuyers paid for projects that were never delivered, with funds allegedly siphoned through shell entities and related parties.
  • The company stands accused of defrauding homebuyers across several housing projects.

Chapter II – Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Weekly Investigation Updates

24. Default Bail Granted in Haryana Bank Fraud

A Panchkula court granted default bail to a former finance official of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board in a multi-crore bank fraud matter, after the CBI failed to file its chargesheet within the statutory time limit prescribed under law.

25. Ninex Developers – Fraud Probe Expands

  • The CBI filed its 11th chargesheet in the Supreme Court-monitored nationwide real estate fraud investigation.
  • Gurgaon-based Ninex Developers and one of its directors have been named for alleged cheating and diversion of homebuyers' funds.
  • The broader investigation encompasses multiple NCR housing projects and examines the role of developers, banks, and financial institutions.
  • Charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.

26. Delhi Police Inspector Arrested in INR 3 Crore Bribery Case

  • The CBI arrested a Delhi Police Crime Branch inspector along with a middleman for allegedly demanding a bribe of INR 3 crore from a businessman in exchange for influencing an active CBI investigation into a fake-drug manufacturing operation.
  • Investigators are also examining whether additional public officials may have been complicit.

27. IDFC First Bank Fraud Investigation

  • The CBI conducted searches in connection with a fraud case involving approximately INR 646 crore traced to an IDFC First Bank branch in Chandigarh.
  • The search actions triggered investor concerns and contributed to a decline in the bank's share price.

NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Investigation

28. NEET-UG 2026 – CBI Investigation Update

The CBI continues to make arrests in the nationwide NEET-UG 2026 paper leak probe:

  • A Pune school principal was arrested for allegedly sharing examination questions and destroying evidence.
  • Additional accused, including a doctor and a coaching faculty member, have been arrested.
  • An NTA panel member was arrested for allegedly leaking Biology examination questions.
  • The nationwide probe has become politically sensitive, given its connection to a major national-level examination.
  • The CBI has arrested multiple accused and expanded its investigation into the origin of the leak and potential institutional involvement.

International Operations

29. Extradition of Wanted Gangster from Georgia

The CBI coordinated the extradition of wanted gangster Venkatesh Garg from Georgia to India, in cooperation with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Haryana Police.

Anti-Corruption Investigations

30. Railway Engineer Arrested

A Northeast Frontier Railway engineer was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe in connection with official duties.

31. SBI Employee – Disproportionate Assets Case

A former SBI employee was booked in a disproportionate assets case, involving alleged assets worth INR 72.36 lakh beyond known sources of income.

32. Three Persons Arrested in Bribery Case

Three individuals, including a forest range officer in Budgam, were arrested in connection with a bribery matter.

33. Noida Homebuyer Fraud Cases

  • The CBI has continued filing chargesheets in major Noida housing fraud matters.
  • Recent filings relate to alleged cheating of homebuyers and misuse of project funds by developers, forming part of the broader NCR real estate investigation.

34. Haryana INR 661 Crore Government Funds Diversion Case

  • The CBI conducted searches linked to an alleged diversion of approximately INR 661 crore involving Haryana state departments and Chandigarh administration accounts.
  • Multiple premises of senior officials and associated entities were covered during the searches.
  • The case carries political significance owing to its connection to government funds and senior public servants.

35. Delhi Anti-Corruption Operations

The CBI arrested a Delhi Police ASI posted at CR Park Police Station while allegedly accepting INR 10 lakh as part of a larger bribery demand in a property-related dispute.

36. NCR Sectors Under Active CBI Focus

Major themes emerging from recent Delhi-NCR CBI activity:

  1. Real estate and builder-bank nexus – Noida, Gurugram, and other NCR projects
  2. Corruption involving public servants and police officials
  3. Banking and financial frauds
  4. Homebuyer protection and diversion of project funds

Separate CBI Investigations Against Politicians

37. Arvind Kejriwal & Delhi Excise Policy Case

  • In one of the year's most consequential developments, the Delhi court discharged all accused, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the CBI corruption case arising from the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.
  • The Delhi court reportedly identified significant deficiencies in the prosecution's evidence and declined to frame charges.
  • The CBI has challenged the Delhi court's ruling.
  • ED proceedings in the matter continue independently.
  • The CBI had alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi liquor policy.
  • This remains one of the most politically consequential investigations of the past decade.

38. Manmohan Singh – Coal Allocation (Coalgate) Cases

  • Manmohan Singh and several former ministers and officials were investigated by the CBI for alleged irregular coal block allocations made during the UPA government era.
  • The cases generated extensive litigation, prosecutions, and court proceedings over many years.
  • Several individual coal block cases have resulted in acquittals, discharges, and convictions over time.

39. Abhishek Banerjee – Investigation Update