A Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in Ahmedabad has rejected the bail plea of Kaashif Makbul Doctor, one of the key accused in a massive cyber fraud and money laundering case involving over ₹100 crore.
Kaashif Makbul is among several individuals accused of orchestrating a nationwide cyber fraud racket that allegedly generated proceeds of crime exceeding ₹104 crore through coordinated online scams. The case is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, which had earlier filed a prosecution complaint against multiple accused under PMLA provisions.
The PMLA court reportedly denied bail considering the gravity of the offence, the scale of financial fraud, and the alleged role of the accused in laundering illicit proceeds. Courts typically apply stricter standards for bail under PMLA, where the burden lies heavily on the accused to demonstrate prima facie innocence.
₹104 Crore Fraud Network Under Scanner
Investigations have revealed that the accused, including Kaashif Makbul, were part of a sophisticated cyber fraud network that targeted victims across India. The proceeds were allegedly routed through multiple bank accounts, shell entities, and converted into digital assets to conceal the money trail.
Authorities have also indicated that the funds were used for high-value transactions and lifestyle expenditures, further strengthening the money laundering allegations.
Earlier Arrests And Chargesheet
The Enforcement Directorate had arrested multiple accused in October 2025 as part of the probe. Subsequently, a detailed chargesheet (prosecution complaint) was filed before the PMLA court in Ahmedabad, naming Kaashif Makbul and others for their alleged involvement in laundering proceeds of crime.
Tight Bail Framework Under PMLA
The case once again highlights the stringent bail framework under PMLA, where courts must be satisfied that the accused is not guilty and unlikely to commit further offences while on bail—a significantly higher threshold compared to ordinary criminal law.
With the bail rejection, Kaashif Makbul will continue to remain in judicial custody as the investigation and trial proceedings move forward.
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.
