What Are the Latest Developments in the Rs 1,400 Crore Bank Fraud Involving Kwality Ltd?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ED's investigation has revealed significant financial misconduct.
- Properties worth Rs 35 crore have been attached in connection with the fraud.
- Former promoters are accused of manipulating financial records.
- The fraud is estimated at Rs 1,400.62 crore.
- Ongoing investigations highlight the need for corporate accountability.
New Delhi, Aug 14 (NationPress) In a significant move regarding a bank fraud case involving Rs 1,400 crore, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs 35 crore linked to the defunct company Kwality Limited. These assets include plant and machinery situated in Haryana and Rajasthan, as confirmed by an official on Thursday.
The attached assets consist of land alongside plant and machinery in Nuh, Haryana, land with plant and machinery in Dausa, Rajasthan, and advances for purchasing industrial land and residential plots in Mohali, the official stated.
These properties are associated with former promoters Sidhant Gupta and Sanjay Dhingra of the now-defunct Kwality Limited, held through their family members or companies they control, as mentioned in the official statement.
Previously, the ED executed search operations at 15 locations linked to the former promoters of Kwality Limited, seizing numerous assets worth crores, including cash amounting to Rs 1.3 crore.
Furthermore, evidence related to assets and bank accounts managed through multiple shell companies by the promoters was also confiscated, in addition to an earlier Provisional Attachment Order for Rs 450 crore.
The ED's inquiry was initiated following an FIR filed by the CBI in New Delhi against Gupta and Dhingra for defrauding banks.
Kwality Limited was involved in the processing and trading of milk, ice creams, and various dairy products.
The FIR accused Kwality Limited and its former directors of manipulating and fabricating financial records by misrepresenting sales, purchases, debtors, and creditors, ultimately deceiving the bank consortium. The total fraud is alleged to amount to Rs 1,400.62 crore.
The investigation by the federal agency uncovered that the former promoters/directors distorted financial records to inflate sales and debtors.
Significant volumes of trading (sales/purchase) were reported without actual physical delivery or receipt of goods at the factory premises, as stated.
It was also observed that fake companies operated through dummy owners were utilized to misappropriate bank funds, according to the ED.
The diverted funds were manipulated and layered to obscure their origin and transferred to various accounts under the direction of the promoters for unauthorized purposes.