Nagpur: The Nagpur police are gearing up to issue a proclamation order against fugitive online gaming fraudster Ananth alias Sontu Navratan Jain through the court as he is hiding in Dubai despite warrants issued against him.
After issuance of the orders, the police would also initiate a process for attaching Sontu’s 16 immovable properties worth over Rs 40 crore and movable properties worth Rs 30 crore, police said. According to police sources, the process had already started as the order is expected to be issued this week.
Gold Rate
23 April 2025
The 16 immovable assets registered in the name of Sontu have been identified. Most of his properties were purchased in recent years, the police said.
The police sources also said that the proclamation order would be issued under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The court may publish a written proclamation requiring the accused to appear before the court and may attach his property.
If the accused fails to appear after the proclamation as well, the court may also attach the property of the accused, and it will be at the State Government’s disposal, said the sources while elaborating the procedure.
Sontu Jain along with his family members and relatives are on the run after the police had raided his Gondia house on July 22, and seized Rs 17 crore cash, 14 kg of gold, and 294 kg of silver with a combined worth of Rs 27 crore.
On August 2, Rs 85 lakh cash and gold worth over Rs 4.50 crore were found in the bank lockers of Sontu and his family members. The huge wealth was allegedly amassed by Sontu Jain by duping several persons through the online gaming fraud.
Despite the Look Out Circular being issued by the Nagpur police, Sontu managed to extend his tourist visa by a month with the help of Naved, a member of D-gang.
Sontu, operated an illegal online gaming platform under the guise of ‘DiamondExchange.com.’ The platform allegedly manipulated unsuspecting victims into engaging in various online gambling activities, such as ‘Rummy’ and ‘Teen Patti’ leading to significant financial losses to many.
The investigation into this online gaming fraud case started when a Nagpur-based businessman approached the police claiming to have been duped of Rs 58 crore by Sontu’s online gaming platform.
He alleged that the results were manipulated, leading to substantial financial losses.
