Arunachal: ED Files Fresh Charges in Rs 44.98 Cr TAH Scam
ED files supplementary complaint in ₹44.98 crore Trans-Arunachal Highway scam, naming officials and tracking diverted funds under PMLA investigation.
NEW DELHI/ITANAGAR — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint (SPC) before a special court in Arunachal Pradesh in connection with an alleged ₹44.98 crore land acquisition compensation scam linked to the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) project, expanding the scope of its ongoing money laundering investigation.
The complaint was filed by the ED’s Itanagar Sub-Zonal Office before the Special Court (PMLA) in Yupia under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. According to the agency, the SPC brings on record additional evidence, an expanded financial trail, and the involvement of more accused persons in the alleged offence.
The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent diversion of government funds earmarked for land acquisition along the Potin–Bopi stretch of the Trans-Arunachal Highway, a 2,407-kilometre infrastructure project spanning 16 districts of the state and forming part of National Highway-13.
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The ED’s investigation originates from a First Information Report registered by the Special Investigation Cell (Vigilance), Itanagar, along with a chargesheet filed under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the agency, the investigation has revealed an alleged criminal conspiracy involving public servants, including senior district-level officials, in collusion with private individuals. The accused are alleged to have facilitated diversion of compensation funds through the creation of fictitious beneficiaries, manipulation of official records, and the use of forged documents.
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The proceeds were allegedly routed and layered through multiple bank accounts and intermediary entities in an attempt to present the funds as legitimate. The ED stated that entities such as M/s T & G Enterprises and M/s Tenzin Enterprise were used in the layering process.
The supplementary complaint names additional accused persons, including then Deputy Commissioner of Ziro Kemo Lollen, District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer Bharat Lingu, Junior Engineers Toko Taje and Kabak Bhatt, and Range Forest Officer Reddy Bei. The agency alleges that these individuals played roles in the assessment, approval, and facilitation of compensation disbursements.
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Two individuals, Likha Maj and Tadar Babin, identified as alleged fraudulent beneficiaries, are accused of receiving substantial compensation amounts without lawful entitlement. The ED stated that ₹9.44 crore was routed through the account of Likha Maj, while ₹5.47 crore was received by Tadar Babin. Mojie Lollen has been named as an intermediary who allegedly facilitated the movement of funds.
The agency further noted that part of the funds, including ₹9.44 crore, was transferred to fictitious beneficiaries through multiple cheque instruments even before the formal commencement of compensation disbursement, indicating premature and unauthorised diversion.
The ED had earlier filed a prosecution complaint in March 2024 against Kabak Bhatt and others, which was subsequently taken cognisance of by the Special Court in Yupia. Subsequent searches conducted in February 2026, along with analysis of financial records and statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA, led to further findings.
As part of its investigation, the ED has undertaken multiple actions to secure proceeds of crime. These include seizure of cash amounting to ₹2.40 crore and ₹22 lakh, freezing of bank balances worth approximately ₹1.19 crore, and earlier freezing of deposits amounting to ₹3.95 crore.
Additionally, immovable properties valued at ₹2.37 crore have been provisionally attached under the PMLA. According to the agency, the total value of proceeds of crime secured so far through seizure, attachment, and freezing stands at approximately ₹10.13 crore.
The matter is currently under consideration before the Special Court (PMLA), Yupia, while further investigation remains ongoing.
