ED traces call centre accused to US custody after Morocco arrest; wife seeks India’s intervention before accused’s extradition to US | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the alleged US call centre fraud case linked to Madhapur, has learnt that Divyangbhai Raval, one of the key accused, was arrested in Morocco and subsequently taken to the United States, according to sources.The development comes even as Raval’s wife had moved the Delhi high court seeking Indian intervention to secure his return before Moroccan authorities decided on his extradition.While the reported transfer to US homeland security custody has been attributed to sources, court records available in the matter document his detention in Morocco and the extradition proceedings initiated against him.In an order dated Sept 28, the Delhi high court recorded submissions made by Raval’s wife that he was facing proceedings in a CBI case registered in Pune on Sept 24, 2024. He was granted bail on Dec 9, 2024, and on March 30, 2026, the Bombay high court waived the condition requiring prior court permission for foreign travel.According to her submissions, Raval informed the investigating officer before travelling through Dubai to Casablanca. However, Moroccan authorities detained him based on a warrant issued after he was indicted by the US district court for the Western District of Washington, Seattle.Moroccan reports alleged that Raval was involved in operating a Washington-based call centre during 2020-21, where employees allegedly impersonated law enforcement officials and threatened victims with prosecution to extort payments.Extradition requestRaval’s wife had asked the Delhi high court to direct the Indian government to submit its own extradition request before a hearing scheduled in Morocco on Sept 30. She argued that he was already facing a criminal case in India, was on bail and was willing to return to face proceedings here.She also sought directions for consular access, legal and interpretation assistance, medical aid, communication with family members, and safeguards against any transfer outside the framework of Moroccan legal procedures.The high court, however, directed the ministry of external affairs to treat her petition as a representation, examine it within a week and communicate its decision. It did not order Raval’s return to India.Madhapur money trailThe ED’s money-laundering investigation originates from two FIRs registered by Madhapur police in Aug 2023. As reported earlier by TOI, the ED alleged that ₹27 lakh was transferred from bank accounts linked to accused Mohammed Irfan Ansari to Raval.During proceedings on Oct 30, govt counsel also disputed the wife’s contention that the India-Morocco extradition agreement had been ratified.