ED files PMLA charge sheet against 6 in ₹1.29 crore PNB fraud in Muzaffarpur
Synopsis
The ED has charged six people — including an alleged PNB insider — with laundering ₹1.29 crore through SIM-swapping fraud at a Muzaffarpur bank branch. The technique silenced transaction alerts to victims while funds were quietly routed through mule accounts, hawala, and ATM cash drops. Around ₹83 lakh in alleged proceeds has already been frozen.
Key Takeaways
The ED Patna Zonal Office filed a charge sheet on 29 September 2026 before the Special PMLA Court, Patna against six accused .
The alleged fraud involved siphoning of around ₹1.29 crore from customer accounts at a PNB branch in Muzaffarpur .
Accused Nitesh Kumar Singh is alleged to be a PNB official who assisted the fraud operation.
The accused allegedly used SIM-swapping to block transaction alerts to victims and move funds through mule accounts , hawala channels , and ATM cash deposits .
Search operations on 11 December 2025 led to the freezing of approximately ₹83 lakh in alleged proceeds across four bank accounts .
Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Patna Zonal Office has filed a charge sheet before the Special PMLA Court in Patna against six individuals in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to a ₹1.29 crore bank fraud at a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The charge sheet, filed on 29 September 2026, seeks the conviction of the accused following a multi-month probe into alleged cheating, forgery, and layering of illicit funds.
The Accused and the Allegations
The ED has named Md. Zafar Eqbal, Nitesh Kumar Singh, Santosh Anand, Rajesh Kumar, Manjay Kumar Singh, and Kundan Kumar as accused in the charge sheet. According to the agency, Zafar Eqbal and his associates allegedly siphoned off around ₹1.29 crore from the bank accounts of victims, with the alleged assistance of Nitesh Kumar Singh, described as an official of Punjab National Bank. The investigation was initiated on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Bihar Police under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, relating to allegations of cheating and forgery.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The ED alleged that the accused deployed a SIM-swapping technique to execute the fraudulent transactions. This method allegedly prevented account holders from receiving transaction alerts on their registered mobile numbers, allowing unauthorised transfers to go undetected. According to the agency, funds were siphoned from savings accounts held at the PNB branch in Muzaffarpur and subsequently moved into mule accounts spread across different cities.
The agency further alleged that the diverted funds were routed back into the personal bank accounts of Zafar Eqbal and his proprietorship firm. The money was then allegedly dispersed through hawala channels and via cash deposits at ATMs at multiple locations before being distributed among the accused persons.
Search Operations and Proceeds Frozen
The ED had earlier conducted search operations at four locations linked to the accused on 11 December 2025. According to the agency, these searches led to the identification and freezing of alleged proceeds of crime amounting to approximately ₹83 lakh held across four bank accounts. The searches formed a key part of the evidentiary trail that eventually led to the filing of the charge sheet.
What Happens Next
The Special PMLA Court in Patna will now take cognisance of the charge sheet and proceed with trial proceedings against the six accused. The ED has confirmed that further investigation into the case is still underway, suggesting additional aspects of the alleged money laundering network may yet be examined. This case reflects a broader pattern of SIM-swap-enabled bank fraud that enforcement agencies across India have flagged as an escalating threat to digital banking security.
Point of View
This charge sheet should prompt regulators to revisit how banks detect and flag internal access anomalies before funds are moved.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ED's PMLA case against the PNB Muzaffarpur accused?
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a charge sheet against six individuals alleging they laundered around ₹1.29 crore defrauded from customer accounts at a PNB branch in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The charge sheet was filed on 29 September 2026 before the Special PMLA Court in Patna.
How did the accused allegedly carry out the PNB bank fraud?
According to the ED, the accused used SIM-swapping to prevent victims from receiving transaction alerts on their registered mobile numbers, allowing unauthorised transfers to go undetected. Funds were then moved through mule accounts in different cities, hawala channels, and cash deposits at ATMs.
Who are the six accused named in the ED charge sheet?
The six accused named are Md. Zafar Eqbal, Nitesh Kumar Singh, Santosh Anand, Rajesh Kumar, Manjay Kumar Singh, and Kundan Kumar. Nitesh Kumar Singh is alleged to be a PNB official who assisted in facilitating the fraud.
How much money has the ED frozen in this case?
The ED froze approximately ₹83 lakh held across four bank accounts during search operations conducted on 11 December 2025 at four locations linked to the accused.
What happens next in the PNB Muzaffarpur fraud case?
The Special PMLA Court in Patna will take cognisance of the charge sheet and proceed with trial. The ED has stated that further investigation into the case is still underway, indicating the probe may widen.
