The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against Manoj Parmar and four others in connection with alleged fraudulent loans sanctioned under government schemes. The complaint was presented before the Special Court (PMLA), Bhopal on 28 January 2026, which has subsequently issued notices to the accused, directing them to appear in court.
The investigation was initiated based on FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Bhopal, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Manoj Parmar, Mark Pius Karari (then Branch Manager, Punjab National Bank, Ashta, Sehore), and others. Following these FIRs, the CBI had also filed a chargesheet against the accused.
ED’s probe revealed that Manoj Parmar, with the assistance of Mark Pius Karari, allegedly fraudulently obtained loans under two government schemes – the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana (CMYUY). In 2016, a total of 18 loans worth approximately ₹6.20 crore were sanctioned using fake applicants, forged documents, and fabricated quotations, of which ₹6.01 crore was actually disbursed.
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The investigation further indicated that the bank’s loan sanction protocols were ignored, second-level approvals bypassed, and several loans cleared beyond the branch manager’s financial powers. Subsequent field inspections by bank officials confirmed that no legitimate business units had applied for or received the loans, demonstrating gross misuse of government schemes designed to promote self-employment.
ED officials said that the fraudulently disbursed funds were diverted into accounts of firms controlled by Manoj Parmar and his close associates. The money was subsequently routed through multiple linked entities, partly withdrawn in cash, and used to acquire properties in the names of Manoj Parmar and others. Several firms were allegedly used as layers to circulate the funds and create a false impression of legitimate business activities. This systematic layering, movement, and concealment of funds highlights the deliberate diversion of public money, constituting proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
Earlier, ED had provisionally attached 12 immovable properties valued at approximately ₹2.08 crore, located in Ashta, Sehore (Madhya Pradesh), which belonged to Manoj Parmar and others.
Authorities emphasized that this move is part of ED’s ongoing efforts to ensure accountability, prevent misuse of public funds, and curb money laundering. The investigation is continuing, with the agency examining additional financial transactions, related properties, and the roles of other implicated individuals.
Officials said that the case is a significant example of alleged systematic financial fraud involving government loan schemes and reflects the need for vigilance in the administration of public funds.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
