The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has auctioned a seized Hawker 800A private jet for Rs 3 crore in what is being described as a first-of-its-kind action in a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged Rs 792-crore Ponzi scheme. The aircraft was auctioned through the MSTC platform on July 1, 2026, by the ED’s Hyderabad Zonal Office.
According to the agency, the jet was originally seized during a search operation conducted at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on March 7, 2025. The seizure was carried out in connection with a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Amardeep Kumar, Capital Protection Force Pvt Ltd, and other associated entities.
Officials stated that the seizure was later confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA in August 2025. Following this, the ED obtained permission in November 2025 to auction the aircraft under relevant provisions governing the disposal of attached or frozen properties that have been confirmed by the authority.
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The case originates from three complaints filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Cyberabad, against Hyderabad-based Capital Protection Force Pvt Ltd—also known as the Falcon Group—its CMD Amardeep Kumar, and others. Investigators allege that the group ran a fake invoice discounting scheme that defrauded investors of nearly Rs 792 crore by promising high returns without engaging in any genuine financial activity.
The ED has already arrested several individuals in the case, including Sandeep Kumar, brother of the main accused, Chartered Accountant Sharad Chandra Toshniwal, and Aryan Singh Chhabra, CEO of Falcon Invoice Discounting. A prosecution complaint was also filed before the designated court in September 2025 as part of ongoing legal proceedings.
Officials said the Rs 3 crore recovered from the auction will be used for restitution to legitimate investors, subject to approval from the Special PMLA Court. The agency added that the investigation into the wider financial network linked to the case is still ongoing.
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