₹18 Crore Banking Fraud: EOW Arrests Fugitive Sanjeev Dixit After Nearly 9 Years in Tihar Jail Case Breakthrough
New Delhi : The Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested Sanjeev Dixit from Tihar Jail, ending a long-running manhunt that stretched close to nine years. Dixit, now 53, had allegedly been absconding since 2017 after escaping custody of the Uttar Pradesh Police and managing to evade arrest across multiple states.
Officials described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in a complex financial fraud case involving forged property documents, impersonation, and large-scale diversion of bank loans through shell companies.
How the alleged fraud was carried out
According to investigators, Dixit is accused of masterminding a carefully structured fraud involving a property in Vivek Vihar, Delhi. The case revolves around allegations that he forged ownership documents and created a fake sale deed to falsely establish control over the property.
A key part of the alleged scheme involved the use of a woman impersonator, who reportedly posed as the real property owner during documentation and verification processes. With this forged identity setup, the accused allegedly succeeded in convincing banks of the legitimacy of the transaction.
Once the property documents were fraudulently validated, Dixit is said to have mortgaged the asset and obtained loans and credit facilities from multiple financial institutions.
Money routed through shell companies
Police further allege that the funds obtained through these loans—amounting to over ₹18 crore—were not used for legitimate purposes. Instead, the money was allegedly passed through a chain of shell companies created to obscure its origin.
Investigators believe this layering of transactions was designed to siphon off the funds while making it difficult for banks and enforcement agencies to trace the money trail.
Officials are now examining the network of companies and individuals who may have assisted in moving and laundering the funds.
Long history of criminal cases
Authorities have also stated that Dixit is not new to financial crime investigations. He is reportedly linked to at least 12 criminal cases registered by agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and police departments across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
In earlier proceedings, he had also been using the alias “Sanjiv Gandhi”, allegedly to avoid detection and continue financial operations under a different identity.
His history of repeated offences and long evasion of law enforcement has led investigators to classify him as a habitual economic offender.
Years on the run and eventual arrest
Dixit had allegedly been on the run since 2017 after escaping Uttar Pradesh Police custody. Despite multiple attempts to trace him, he remained untraceable for years, moving across locations and reportedly using forged identities.
His eventual arrest from Tihar Jail marks a twist in the case, suggesting that he had been lodged there in connection with another matter before the EOW formally apprehended him in this banking fraud investigation.
Officials have not yet disclosed the details of how he was finally located or whether further arrests are expected in connection with the case.
Investigation continues
With Dixit now in custody, the EOW is expected to intensify its investigation into:
- The network of shell companies allegedly used
- Bank officials or intermediaries who may have facilitated the loans
- The impersonation process involving forged identity documents
- Additional financial trails linked to the ₹18 crore fraud
Authorities say the case highlights ongoing concerns about document forgery in property-linked banking frauds and the need for stricter verification systems.
The investigation remains active, and further disclosures are expected as interrogations continue.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
