ED Seizes Assets Valued at Rs 13.71 Crore in Online Tiger Safari Fraud
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Synopsis
The ED in Nagpur has attached properties worth Rs 13.71 crore linked to an online tiger safari booking scam involving alleged misconduct by Wild Connectivity Solutions. The ongoing investigation reveals significant financial losses tied to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Key Takeaways
- ED attaches properties worth Rs 13.71 crore.
- Investigation into online tiger safari booking scam ongoing.
- Parties involved: Abhishek and Rohit Thakur.
- Financial loss estimated at Rs 16.5 crore.
- Search operations led to further asset seizures.
Nagpur, March 19 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), based in Nagpur, has provisionally attached properties totaling Rs 13.71 crore, which includes immovable assets located in the Chandrapur and Nagpur districts of Maharashtra, as well as movable assets in the form of bank balances across various accounts.
This action is part of an ongoing inquiry into an alleged scam involving the online booking of tiger safaris at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.
The case centers around Abhishek Vinodkumar Thakur and Rohit Vinodkumar Thakur, who are partners at M/s Wild Connectivity Solutions (WCS) and are accused of deceiving the forest department.
The investigation began after the Maharashtra Police filed an FIR in Chandrapur District under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for alleged financial misconduct and misappropriation of funds.
The ED's investigation uncovered that WCS was hired by the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve Conservation Foundation through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to provide essential services, including the collection of entry fees, gypsy charges, and guide fees.
However, the Thakur brothers reportedly breached the terms of the agreement, leading to a financial deficit of around Rs 16.5 crore between the fiscal years of 2020-21 to 2023-24.
Earlier in January 2025, the ED executed search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), resulting in the seizure of assets worth Rs 1.42 crore, including gold, bullion, and platinum jewelry.
Numerous digital devices and incriminating documents were also confiscated during this operation, revealing that the accused utilized the proceeds from their illicit activities to acquire properties in their names and those of related entities.
The investigation is still underway, with additional actions anticipated as the ED works to uncover the full extent of the scam.
