The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing a massive alleged money laundering network made a significant breakthrough on Tuesday with the arrest of Mumbai-based bullion trader Ronak Kumar. He is suspected of playing a crucial part in helping hawala operator Anil Chokhara launder nearly ₹78 crore originating from distilleries in Andhra Pradesh.
Arrest at the Airport Evasion Attempt
Officials revealed that Ronak Kumar had been summoned for questioning earlier this week as part of the ongoing investigation into the liquor cartel's financial channels. While he appeared before the SIT on Tuesday, he was asked to return the following day for more detailed interrogation. Sensing his attempt to flee the state, SIT teams acted on specific intelligence and intercepted him at Vijayawada's Gannavaram airport on Tuesday evening. He was apprehended just before he could board a flight and taken into custody for intense questioning.
Deepening Nexus in the Hawala Network
Investigators now suspect Ronak Kumar's involvement is more extensive than initially thought. His brother, Chetan Kumar (A-50), who owns Chamunda Bullion in Mumbai, was previously identified by arrested hawala operator Anil Chokhara (A-49) as the principal link. Chetan allegedly facilitated the conversion of funds deposited into shell company accounts into cash and gold for the liquor syndicate. The SIT is examining whether Ronak actively helped execute or coordinate these transactions and if he possesses knowledge of offshore financial connections hinted at in earlier interrogations.
A key focus of the probe is to determine if Ronak Kumar was directly involved in handling the funds from the Andhra Pradesh-based distilleries. Investigators are also looking into whether he assisted in distributing the laundered money to members of the alleged liquor syndicate and its political beneficiaries.
Unraveling the Financial Web
With this arrest, the SIT expects to peel back more layers of the complex financial network believed to be behind the scam. The agency aims to trace the complete money trail to identify all conduits and final beneficiaries. Further questioning of Ronak Kumar continued through Wednesday as officials work to connect the dots in this high-value money laundering case that highlights the alleged conversion of white money into black through a web of bullion traders and shell companies.
