Bhopal/Indore, Jan 29 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Indore Sub-Zonal Office has submitted a charge sheet against Kamal Rathore along with five other individuals to the Special Judge under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in Madhya Pradesh's Indore.

The investigation focuses on a significant fraud involving the misappropriation of government funds totaling Rs 20.47 crore from the Block Education Office in Katthiwada, located in the Alirajpur district, as stated by the ED.

The fraudulent scheme unfolded from April 2018 to July 2023, during which the accused reportedly approved fake bills and misappropriated treasury funds intended for educational initiatives and welfare programs.

Investigations conducted under the PMLA indicated that Kamal Rathore, in collaboration with the other accused, systematically misappropriated significant sums over nearly five years.

The inquiry was initiated following an FIR filed at the Katthiwada Police Station, resulting in a charge sheet under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

On January 6, 2026, the Special Court issued notices to the accused based on these developments, according to the central probe agency.

Prior actions taken by the ED included search operations under Section 17 of the PMLA, which led to the seizure of incriminating documents and the provisional attachment of Rs 25 lakh in funds.

The primary suspect, Kamal Rathore, was apprehended by the central investigation agency on August 7, 2025, and remains in judicial custody.

Further investigations revealed that the accused had acquired immovable assets worth Rs 4.3 crore using proceeds from their criminal activities.

These assets have been provisionally attached as part of the ongoing money laundering probe.

The charge sheet formally charges six principal conspirators in this case.

The ED stressed that the embezzlement severely impacted essential educational and welfare programs in the region, depriving them of vital resources.

Officials characterized the fraud as a calculated and systematic scheme that exploited government mechanisms over an extended timeframe.

The central probe agency is continuing its investigation to uncover additional details, trace any further illicit proceeds, and identify other potential accomplices.

This development follows earlier raids and property attachments reported in September 2025, where assets valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore linked to the same accused were seized.

The charge sheet filing represents a crucial step towards holding the offenders accountable under anti-money laundering legislation, with the goal of recovering illicit gains and deterring similar financial misconduct in public offices.

Authorities have assured that the investigation will be conducted rigorously to ensure justice in this matter.