ED Files PMLA Case Against Former Senior District Registrar, Bhopal

Background

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Sobaran Singh Apouriya, former Senior District Registrar, Bhopal, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) before the Special PMLA Court, Bhopal on January 19, 2026. The court has issued notice for pre-cognizance hearing.

The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by the Special Police Establishment, Lokayukta Office, Bhopal, under Section 13(1)(e) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

According to the ED, Apouriya, while serving as a public servant, allegedly abused his official position to acquire assets disproportionate to his known sources of income amounting to Rs. 97.13 lakh. The agency stated that he was the beneficiary of the Proceeds of Crime generated from the scheduled offence.

ED further alleged that Apouriya committed the offence of money laundering under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4, by routing illicit funds through family-held bank accounts and converting them into financial instruments and properties to project the proceeds as untainted.