ED Searches 14 Premises Across Seven Regions In Alleged NHAI Toll Fraud Case

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at 14 premises across seven regions in connection with an alleged fraud in toll collection at National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plazas.

The searches are being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and cover locations in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, the National Capital Region (NCR) and Kolkata.

According to the ED, the alleged fraud involved the use of unauthorised software applications to generate unauthorised toll receipts and divert toll collections outside the official accounting mechanism.

The agency said forensic examination and NHAI records have corroborated the deployment of such software in the alleged irregularities.

The searches are aimed at recovering digital and documentary evidence related to the case, identifying the beneficiaries and tracing the proceeds of crime, the ED said.

The agency has not disclosed details of the individuals or entities whose premises were searched.

Further investigation into the alleged toll collection fraud is underway, the ED said. (Agencies)