63.37 crore bulk push SMS messages were allegedly routed illegally through BSNL’s SMSCs.
CHANDIGARH (India CSR): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chandigarh Zonal Office-I, has provisionally attached seven immovable properties valued at approximately Rs. 1.50 crore in a money-laundering investigation involving Swarnjeet Singh, then SDE (SMSC) at BSNL Chandigarh, and others. The attachment has been made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED stated that, with this latest action, the total value of properties provisionally attached in the case has reached approximately Rs. 2.30 crore.
CBI FIR Led Investigation
The ED said it began its investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Chandigarh against Swarnjeet Singh, M/s Doorsteps Solutions and others. According to the ED, its investigation found that Swarnjeet Singh allegedly conspired with Saurabh Tyagi, Marconi James Macwan and Preeti Gohel to facilitate unauthorised access to BSNL’s Short Message Service Centre, or SMSC, infrastructure. The agency alleged that this access enabled bulk SMS traffic to be routed while bypassing the mandatory Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)/Tanla platform and the prescribed billing mechanism.
₹5.42 Crore Revenue Loss Alleged
The ED stated that approximately 63.37 crore bulk push SMS messages were allegedly routed illegally through BSNL’s SMSCs. According to the agency, the alleged routing resulted in an estimated revenue loss of approximately Rs. 5.42 crore to BSNL. This figure includes around Rs. 4.05 crore towards Interconnection Usage Charges, the ED said. The agency further alleged that M/s Smart Technology, M/s Doorsteps Solutions and their partners availed unauthorised bulk SMS services at rates below prevailing market rates and derived financial benefits from the arrangement.
Properties Located In Punjab And Gujarat
The seven attached properties include agricultural land in SAS Nagar, also known as Mohali, Punjab. The attachment also covers residential and commercial properties in Vadodara, Gujarat. The ED had earlier provisionally attached property worth ₹80 lakh in the case on March 27, 2025. The agency has quantified the proceeds of crime in the case at approximately Rs. 6.47 crore at the present stage of its investigation. The ED’s statement sets out the agency’s findings and allegations in its ongoing investigation. Further investigation is under progress.
