Eight Arrested for Providing Mule Bank Accounts to Cyber Criminals; Accused Sent to Judicial Custody Under BNS Provisions
Published on: February 21, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
In a major action against cybercrime under the “Mission Cyber Suraksha” campaign, Rajnandgaon police have arrested eight individuals accused of facilitating cyber fraud by allowing their bank accounts to be used as mule accounts to receive and transfer illegal funds. Preliminary investigation has revealed suspicious transactions exceeding ₹20 lakh routed through these accounts.
The joint operation was carried out by the Kotwali Police Station and the Cyber Cell team. According to police officials, the accused had opened bank accounts in their own names and later provided access to cyber fraudsters, who used them to receive money obtained through online scams before transferring it further to avoid detection.
Multiple Banks Misused for Fraudulent Transfers
Investigations revealed that accounts in several banks — including Bandhan Bank, Canara Bank, UCO Bank, and Bank of Baroda — were used as mule accounts. Cybercriminals allegedly routed fraud proceeds through these accounts in a structured manner to obscure the money trail.
Eight Accused Arrested and Jailed
Police registered cases at Kotwali Police Station under Crime Nos. 108/2025, 109/2025, 110/2025, and 380/2025. All eight accused were arrested under Sections 317(2) and 317(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Javed Solanki, Sagar Vaishnav, Udit Jain, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar Vaishnav, Chandulal Kshatriya, Mithlesh Tamrakar, and Likesh Sahu — all residents of different police station jurisdictions within Rajnandgaon district.
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Action Based on National Cybercrime Data
The operation was conducted under the direction of Superintendent of Police Ankita Sharma as part of intensified measures to curb cybercrime in the district. Police said the action was initiated using intelligence received through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) portal operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, along with inputs shared by police units from other states.
Small Commissions, Serious Crimes
During investigation, police found that some individuals had handed over their bank accounts, ATM cards, cheque books, and registered SIM cards to cyber gangs in exchange for small commissions or rental payments. Authorities emphasized that such acts constitute a criminal offence, and the account holders are equally liable under the law.
Public Advisory Issued
Rajnandgaon police have urged citizens not to share their bank account details, ATM cards, cheque books, or mobile SIM cards with anyone. Officials advised that any suspicious transaction should be immediately reported to the police. Accepting or routing money from illegal sources through personal accounts is considered a serious crime and will attract strict legal action.
With cybercrime cases rising nationwide, this operation is being viewed as a decisive step against the mule account network operating in the district.
