The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ahmedabad Zonal Office has arrested B.R. Patel under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in connection with a major human trafficking racket. Patel was produced before the Special PMLA Court at Mirzapur, Ahmedabad, which granted four days of ED custody for further investigation.
The ED launched its probe based on an FIR filed by Shola High Court Police Station, Ahmedabad, against Patel and others. The case alleges that since 2015, Patel had been illegally facilitating the migration of Indian citizens abroad by using fake documents and forged passports.
The investigation revealed that Patel operated a sophisticated network that sent Indian nationals overseas for exorbitant sums. The charges ranged from Rs60–75 lakh per person, Rs1–1.25 crore per couple, and up to Rs1.75 crore for families with children. These migrants were provided bogus or duplicate passports and forged visa documents, often impersonating other individuals to bypass legal immigration checks.
Patel is also wanted in multiple FIRs across Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. The ED estimates the proceeds of crime (POC) in this case to be at least Rs7 crore.
In parallel investigations, the ED also seized Rs25 lakh in cash and froze Rs12 crore in assets during a separate probe related to illegal construction in the Vasai-Virar area.
