The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a provisional attachment order involving a cricket academy, hotels, resorts, and land in a Bhopal village, collectively valued at Rs 22.46 crore. This action is part of a case related to the late Arvind Joshi and Tinoo Joshi, former bureaucrats. The order was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 by the ED’s Bhopal Zonal Office.
The ED’s investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Special Police Establishment, Lokayukta, Bhopal against the late Arvind Joshi and Tinoo Joshi, both ex-IAS Officers of MP Cadre. They were accused of possessing movable and immovable assets worth around Rs 41.87 crore disproportionate to their known sources of income. Allegations of misuse of official position and involvement in corrupt practices were also highlighted.
Late Arvind Joshi was found to have acquired various properties in his name, as well as in the names of family members and associates, using proceeds of crime. The investigation revealed the use of benami entities, sham agreements, and layered transactions to conceal the ownership of tainted assets. The affairs of Faith Cricket Club were managed by late Arvind Joshi, with investments for the cricket academy funded from illicit wealth through an associate.
The ED had previously attached properties worth approximately Rs 13.60 crore in this case and filed Prosecution Complaints before the Special Court (PMLA), Bhopal. Further investigation under the PMLA is ongoing, with the possibility of identifying and attaching more proceeds of crime.
