Kolkata, March 31, 2026: The West Bengal Police cybercrime division arrested Kolkata-based industrialist Pawan Kumar Ruia on Tuesday in connection with an alleged Rs 600 crore cyber scam, a senior state police official said. Ruia, founder-chairman of the Ruia Group and once dubbed a “takeover-cum-tycoon” for acquiring several public and private firms, was taken into custody outside a luxury hotel in New Town on the city’s northern fringe on the evening of March 31.
Authorities said the arrest follows a complaint filed in 2024 by one Swapan Kumar Mandal at the Eco Park Police Station under Bidhannagar City Police. Initial forensic work by cyber experts identified traces of about Rs 315 crore linked to online frauds; the cybercrime division later registered a suo motu FIR in November 2025 as the probe widened.
Police allege that funds obtained through online frauds across India were routed into bank accounts held by Ruia and members of his family. Investigators claim those sums were funnelled through as many as 148 shell companies reportedly registered in the names of Ruia and his relatives, with the illicit money deposited into the companies’ accounts.
Searches and raids were conducted at Ruia’s residence during earlier stages of the probe, the police said. Investigators further allege that the bank accounts receiving the fraud proceeds were operated from the Ruia Centre at 46 Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Kolkata-17.
The state’s case notes point to a total alleged forgery amount of around Rs 600 crore; these figures and allegations are part of an ongoing investigation and have not been tested in court. Ruia was previously arrested in 2016 in a separate case involving the theft of railway equipment from the Jessop factory, a unit once taken over by the Ruia Group. After closures at Jessop and Dunlop, the state government had moved to acquire the properties.
IANS
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/31/bengal-kolkata-based-industrialist-pawan-ruia-held-in-rs-600-crore-cyber-scam/
Category: NATIONAL,News Alert
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Publish Date: 2026-03-31 21:01:00
