The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations from January 8 to 9, 2025, at seven locations in Chandrapur and Nagpur in connection with the financial fraud case. The searches targeted properties linked to promoters of a company that collects safari fees at a tiger reserve in Maharashtra.

The raids were carried out at properties of Abhishek Vinodkumar Thakur, Rohit Vinodkumar Thakur, and their associated businesses.

The ED began its investigation following an FIR filed by Maharashtra Police in Chandrapur under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case alleged financial misconduct involving the two men, who are partners in the company M/s Wild Connectivity Solutions (WCS). The investigation centres on an alleged fraud totalling Rs. 12.15 crore, which impacted the state’s forest department.

WCS had been contracted by the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve under a Service Level Agreement dated December 10, 2021, to manage services such as entry fee collection, and charges for gypsy rides and guides. The central probe agency found that between 2020 and 2024, the Thakur brothers misused the agreement to defraud the reserve.

During the search, the ED seized assets, including jewellery and bullion valued at Rs. 1.42 crore. Documents and digital evidence related to the fraud were also recovered. The ED reported that the directors of WCS used the illicit funds to acquire personal property and settle loans linked to their other entities.

The investigation is ongoing.