The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) carried out a series of search operations on Tuesday in connection with a money laundering case linked to fake purchase orders allegedly issued in the name of autonomous councils in Assam. The agency conducted searches at six different locations spread across Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Tezpur, and New Delhi. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to officials, the searches were part of an ongoing investigation against individuals identified as Rishiraj Kaundinya, Biju Das, Mukesh Jain, and several others. The ED suspects that the accused were involved in issuing fake supply orders using the names of the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, the Mising Autonomous Council, and possibly other bodies. These fake orders were allegedly used to deceive suppliers and collect large commissions.
During the operation, the ED recovered ₹14.5 lakh in cash. The agency also issued freezing orders on bank accounts holding around ₹13.68 lakh. Two luxury vehicles—an Innova Hyryder and a Fortuner—were seized as well. Officials said that a land sale agreement worth ₹65 lakh was also found and is suspected to be linked to proceeds of crime. Several documents, digital devices, and property records were collected for examination. 
Investigators said their findings so far indicate that the accused were running a well-structured network to commit fraud. The group allegedly prepared fake government documents, including forged signatures, forged supply orders, fake clearance notes, and even forged cheques. These documents were shown to suppliers to make them believe they had received genuine orders from autonomous councils.
The goods ordered under these fake documents included blankets, tarpaulins, dyed cotton yarn, solar equipment, and even items connected to large infrastructure works. The suppliers were reportedly asked to pay high commission amounts in advance as a condition for the work orders to be processed. After the advance payments were collected, the goods were diverted or unloaded at unauthorized locations, and the suppliers never received payment.
The ED estimates that suppliers lost nearly ₹9.86 crore due to non-payment for the goods supplied. The agency also found evidence that the people involved collected illegal commissions of around ₹2.04 crore linked to these fraudulent orders.
Officials said that the searches have helped uncover details of several properties that the accused allegedly own or control. These properties are now under scrutiny as investigators try to identify more assets connected to the proceeds of crime.
