ED flags Rs6.5 crore suspicious ATM withdrawals in Naxal hit regions

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered suspicious foreign debit card transactions involving large-scale cash withdrawals in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions, as part of an ongoing probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).In an official statement issued recently, the agency said it is investigating the activities of a global Christian mission, The Timothy Initiative (TTI), and individuals associated with it, for allegedly withdrawing crores of rupees using foreign-issued debit cards in Naxal-affected areas.
The ED conducted coordinated searches across multiple states on April 18–19, leading to the seizure of 25 foreign debit cards, Rs40 lakh in cash, and several “incriminating” digital devices and documents. The cards were reportedly linked to Truist Bank and were brought into India for repeated ATM withdrawals.According to investigators, cash withdrawals amounting to nearly Rs6.5 crore were made over the past few years in Maoist-affected regions, including Dhamtari district and the Bastar region. The ED suspects the funds were used to finance the activities of TTI in India, which is not registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Further scrutiny revealed that an online billing and accounting platform—allegedly controlled by entities operating outside India—was used to track these transactions. The agency estimates that nearly Rs95 crore was channelled into India through such mechanisms between November 2025 and April 2026.In a related development, Bureau of Immigration officials intercepted a man identified as Micah Mark at Kempegowda International Airport following a Look Out Circular issued by the ED. He was found carrying 24 foreign debit cards, which investigators believe were used for systematic cash withdrawals across the country.
The agency noted that the emergence of a parallel cash-based system in Naxalite-affected areas poses a serious threat to India’s financial integrity and internal security, with the potential to facilitate illicit fund flows for unlawful activities.The ED said further investigation is underway to trace the network, identify key operators, and determine the end use of the funds.