Motihari: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a pre-dawn operation in Motihari on Sunday, raiding three locations linked to an alleged network involved in cyber fraud, counterfeit currency circulation and hawala transactions. The case took a dramatic turn after investigators found that crores of rupees had been routed through the bank account of a woman who died seven years ago.
Raids Begin at 4.30am Across Motihari
A 10-member NIA team reached Koyla Belwa village in the Chakia police station area at 4.30am, surrounding the home of the late Narayan Pathak. Simultaneous raids were carried out at two additional locations under Adapur police station.
Local police officers, including SSP Santosh Singh, Chakia police station chief, officers from Pipra, Mehsi and Jai Bajrang police stations, assisted the central team throughout the operation.
Transactions from Dead Woman’s Account Raise Alarm
The case centres on Priyanka, daughter of late Narayan Pathak, who married Dhiraj Tiwari, a Nepalese national, in 2012. She died of a heart attack in 2018.
Under banking rules, her account should have been closed after her death. Instead, investigators discovered transactions worth crores of rupees continuing for years.
According to officials, Dhiraj had been staying at his in-laws’ house for the past week. The NIA, acting on intelligence inputs, arrived at the same location and arrested him during the raid.
Dual Citizenship and International Links
Dhiraj Tiwari, who reportedly works in Dubai, is said to hold dual Indian and Nepali citizenship — a detail now under scrutiny. The NIA believes these cross-border links may have facilitated the alleged finances involving hawala operators and fake currency networks.
Phones Seized, Family Questioned
During the search, the NIA confiscated mobile phones of family members and questioned them inside a locked room. A thorough search of the premises continued for several hours.
More Raids in Adapur
Separate teams raided two locations in Adapur, including the home of Rudal Paswan in Arra village. Police from multiple stations and the Raxaul DSP were present during the operation.
