Bhopal, June 25: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has temporarily seized 56 residential plots in Dhar district under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent approvals and embezzlement of government funds amounting to ₹20.47 crore linked to the Block Education Office (BEO) in Kattiwada, Alirajpur district.
The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR filed at the Kattiwada police station. This FIR pertains to fraudulent treasury payments made between 2018 and 2023, involving the Block Education Office.
Investigations revealed that Kamal Rathore, along with other accused, embezzled government funds from the Alirajpur treasury. The misappropriated funds were channeled through various bank accounts controlled by Rathore and his family members, leading to cash withdrawals that were later used to purchase agricultural land in Gandhwani, Dhar district.
Further inquiries indicated that the agricultural land acquired with the proceeds of crime was subsequently developed into residential plots under the ‘Shri Balaji Dham’ project. This development aimed to conceal the illegal source of the property and to legitimize the illicit assets. The market value of the 56 residential plots temporarily seized from Shri Balaji Dham exceeds ₹6 crore.
Previously, the ED had confiscated incriminating documents and frozen bank accounts under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002. During the investigation, Kamal Rathore was arrested for his involvement in money laundering activities.
Subsequently, assets worth ₹4.43 crore belonging to the accused were temporarily seized, with confirmation of this seizure on March 10. Additionally, a prosecution complaint against Kamal Rathore and other accused was filed in the Special Court (PMLA) in Indore on September 29, 2025. The ED continues to pursue further investigations related to this case.
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