ED to file FIR against 970 crore fraud kingpin for laundering

KANPUR: Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to register a money laundering case against Ponzi scheme fraud mastermind Ravindranath Soni, who allegedly duped over 1,000 investors of Rs 970 crore across 12 countries, a source said.The agency has completed a preliminary investigation and is expected to lodge a case against Soni soon.ED officials had earlier sought case details from Kanpur commissionerate police, while Kanpur police special investigation team (SIT), headed by additional DCP Anjali Vishwakarma, has already compiled extensive evidence, including financial trails and celebrity links. Senior police officials said that the relevant documents had been shared with the agency.Two more Dubai-based victims arrived in Kanpur on Friday to lodge complaints against Soni. Sheikh Sabir, of Andhra Pradesh, alleged that he was cheated of Rs 2.5 crore, while Telangana resident Srikant Raya Polu claimed losses of Rs 4 crore.So far, 14 FIRs have been registered against Soni, a Delhi resident, and his associates. Actor Suraj Jumani, accused in two cases, has yet to return from Dubai despite repeated summons. The SIT is also awaiting statements from actor Sonu Sood and former wrestler The Great Khali.Investigators said that electronic devices seized from Soni's Dehradun residence are undergoing forensic examination, and more high-profile names may surface once data analysis is complete.