The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Indore Sub-Zonal Office has submitted a charge sheet against Kamal Rathore and five others in a money laundering case in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore. The case involves a fraud of Rs 20.47 crore from the Block Education Office in Katthiwada of Alirajpur district, where government funds were misappropriated. The accused allegedly cleared fake bills and diverted treasury funds meant for educational programs and welfare schemes between April 2018 and July 2023.
Investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) revealed that Kamal Rathore, along with the other accused, systematically embezzled significant amounts over almost five years. The probe commenced after an FIR was filed by Katthiwada Police Station, leading to a charge sheet under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Special Court issued notices to the accused on January 6, 2026, based on these proceedings.
The ED had conducted search operations under the PMLA, resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents and the provisional attachment of Rs 25 lakh. The prime accused, Kamal Rathore, was arrested by the central probe agency on August 7, 2025, and is currently in judicial custody. Further investigations revealed that the accused had acquired immovable properties worth Rs 4.3 crore using proceeds from the crime, which have been provisionally attached as part of the money laundering probe.
The charge sheet formally names six key conspirators in the case. The ED highlighted that the embezzlement deprived crucial educational and welfare initiatives in the region of necessary resources. Officials characterized the fraud as a deliberate and organized scheme that exploited government mechanisms over an extended period. The central probe agency is continuing its investigation to uncover more details, track additional proceeds of crime, and identify potential further involvement.
This development comes after earlier raids and attachments reported in September 2025, where properties valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore linked to the same accused were attached. Filing the charge sheet represents a significant step in holding the perpetrators accountable under anti-money laundering laws, with the aim of recovering illicit gains and deterring similar financial irregularities in public offices. Authorities have assured that the investigation will proceed rigorously to ensure justice in the matter.
