New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested an imposter trying to threaten agency investigators and interfere in its working process in the Rs 5,978 crore money laundering case against Nowhera Shaik and others in Hyderabad.

The imposter, namely Kalyan Banerjee, was arrested on January 10.

ED's Hyderabad Zonal Office arrested Banerjee under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Banerjee was produced before the special PMLA court on January 11, and the court has remanded him to judicial custody till January 23, 2026.

ED has categorically demonstrated that "any attempt by unscrupulous individuals to interfere in its investigation proceedings shall be dealt with firmly and appropriate action under the law is taken against them."

ED further said it has been investigating a case against Nowhera Shaik and others under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002, on the basis of several FIRs registered by the Police Authorities of various States.

Investigation by the Police Authorities, inter alia, revealed that Nowhera Shaik and others had collected investments of more than Rs 5978 Crore from the public with a promise of returns exceeding 36 per cent a year, but failed to return even the principal, thereby duping investors.

ED investigation revealed that Nowhera Shaik had utilised part of the Proceeds of Crime towards the purchase of various immovable properties in her name, her companies' name and in the names of her relatives. During the investigation, properties amounting to Rs 428 Crore have been attached by ED and Prosecution Complaint as well as Supplementary Prosecution Complaint have been filed before the special PMLA court in Hyderabad.

During the PMLA investigation in the case and ongoing matters before the court, ED moved an application before the Supreme Court proposing the auction of confirmed attached properties so that proceeds of the same could be restored to the victims of the fraud.
After obtaining due approval from the Apex Court and in compliance of orders, several attached properties in the case have been put up for auction through MSTC.

However, ED said, Nowhera Shaik has repeatedly tried to stall the auction process before the Supreme Court as well as the Telangana High Court.

To stall the last auction, which was conducted on January 5, 2026, Nowhera Shaik filed a petition before Telangana High Court, alleging malafide in the auction process.The petition was dismissed by the court and exemplary cost of Rs 5 crore was imposed on Nowhera Shaik. The court ordered that the said cost be deposited by Nowhera Shaik in the Prime Minister's relief fund.

Having failed to legally protect properties acquired by her out of Proceeds of Crime, Nowhera Shaik hired the services of the imposter Kalyan Banerjee on monthly remuneration as well as commission basis.

"Kalyan Banerjee started messaging and calling ED officers and falsely projected himself as close to several high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians. He tried to entice the officers to manipulate the auction process but when he was categorically told to follow due process of law, he started threatening the officers and put pressure on them to stall the auction process. Intelligence was developed and it was found that he was an imposter who was impersonating as a consultant to various departments and being close to senior bureaucrats and politicians. He was found to have furnished incomplete address in his mobile SIM card KYC documents. He was finally traced on the basis of intelligence and search action under section 17 of the PMLA was conducted at his premises in Secunderabad on Januatry 10, 2026," said the ED.

As per the agency, Banerjee's mobile phones revealed incriminating whatsapp chats with Nowhera Shaik and her associates.

"Banerjee also revealed that he was trying to manipulate the investigation proceedings and the judicial process through unethical ways. Attempts to alienate and sell properties acquired out of Proceeds of Crime as well as earning huge commission out of illegal deals were revealed. In his statements recorded under the provisions of PMLA, he admitted to impersonation in order to put pressure on officers. He also admitted that he was acting on the directions of Nowhera Shaik and her associates. It was revealed that he was knowingly assisting Nowhera Shaik and her associates in the various processes and activities connected with proceeds of crime," said the ED.

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