ED’s big action in highway scam, pile of currency notes found in raid

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Itanagar conducted raids at 6 locations in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on 6 February 2026 in a money laundering case related to the Trans-Arunachal Highway land compensation scam. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to the ED, out of the six locations that were raided, four locations are located in Itanagar and surrounding areas, one in Likhabali (near Dibrugarh) and one in Aalon (near Mechuka-China border). All these places are in inaccessible, hilly and border sensitive areas. The aim of this action was to reach the roots of this huge scam spreading in the state.

Rs 2.62 crore cash seized, bank accounts frozen

During the raid, ED recovered a total of Rs 2.62 crore in cash. Of this, Rs 2.40 crore was seized from the residence of Likhaba Maaz (private beneficiary and key link in the case) and Rs 22 lakh was seized from the house of Tadar Babin (private beneficiary). Additionally, the ED froze around Rs 1.77 crore deposited in the bank accounts of Tadar Babin and Bharat Lingu (former DLRSO, Zero).

recovered cash

Documents related to illegal property purchase found

ED has recovered several important documents from the residences of Kemo Lollane (former Deputy Commissioner, Zero) and his family, Bharat Lingu, Toko Taje (Junior Engineer, PWD) and Likhaba Soni (private beneficiary). These documents indicate that the land compensation money was used to buy properties illegally.

Cash recovered in ED action

Assets worth crores of rupees frozen earlier also

In the earlier investigation, ED had frozen bank accounts, fixed deposits (FD) and recurring deposits (RD) worth about Rs 3.95 crore. These accounts were found to be linked to Kabak Bhatt (Junior Engineer, PWD) and M/s T & G Enterprises. The investigation also revealed that fixed deposits worth about Rs 175 crore were made without permission from the government compensation amount. Out of the interest earned from these FDs, about Rs 2.79 crore was misused. At the same time, interest of Rs 21.57 lakh on FD was directly transferred to the personal account of Kabak Bhatt.

Chargesheet filed in special court

ED has also filed a charge sheet (prosecution complaint) in the special court under PMLA in the money laundering case against Kabak Bhatt.

Trans-Arunachal Highway Scam

The matter is related to Trans-Arunachal Highway Project

This entire matter is related to the compensation given in the land acquisition for the Trans-Arunachal Highway (Potin-Bopi, 0 to 157.70 km) road project. This road project was divided into Yachuli, Ziro and Raga sectors. Initially compensation for the project was proposed at Rs 289.40 crore, which was later reduced to Rs 188 crore. Despite this, serious irregularities were committed in the payment process, due to which illegal benefits were extended to private individuals.

Fact finding committee exposed irregularities

The report of the Fact Finding Committee of the state government revealed that in Yachuli sector, where compensation of Rs 38.18 crore was due, Rs 66.25 crore was distributed. That means additional payment of approximately Rs 28 crore was made. Similarly, huge financial irregularities were also found in Zero and Raga sectors. Overall, the government suffered a loss of approximately Rs 44.98 crore due to this scam.

Raids at 6 places in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam

Evidence of fake beneficiaries and bribery

ED investigation has also revealed that fake beneficiaries were created and government records were manipulated. The compensation amount was diverted to private people by transferring it to wrong accounts and FDs. In many cases, evidence of bribery to government officials and subsequent layering of that money has also been found. At present, ED investigation is going on in this matter.

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