India’s Enforcement Directorate has arrested S K Jinnar Ali on charges of running an extortion racket that posed as senior ED officials to fleece businessmen in Kolkata and neighbouring Bardhaman. Ali was detained during raids on 2 July carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and was remanded in agency custody until 16 July for interrogation. Investigators allege the group summoned targets to the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate under the pretext of official inquiries, arriving in a Toyota Fortuner outfitted with counterfeit ED stickers to lend credibility. One businessman was coerced into handing over Rs1.3 crore in cash and depositing a further Rs20 lakh, while another victim lost Rs1.5 crore, according to the case file linked to a local police FIR. Searches of Ali’s premises yielded forged letterheads bearing the national emblem, fabricated seals, multiple “Government of India” lanyards and documents purportedly from various ministries. Officers also seized two vehicles and froze Rs45.89 lakh held in accounts belonging to Ali, his wife and a company, Sparklink Management Service Pvt. Ltd. The ED has urged the public to verify any summons through its official website and to report suspected impersonation. The agency said further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.