India News

From Harshad Mehta to Vijay Mallya, a look at India’s biggest scammers

Amid the ongoing Adani row, let’s take a look at India’s biggest scams in history.

Published

4 years ago

February 4, 2023

Adani Group lost more than Rs 5,29,865 crore in the last week after investors backed out as the US-based Hindenburg Research released their investigative report and accused Gautam Adani of fraud and stock manipulation.

Earlier, there have been multiple financial scams that shook the nation. Amid the ongoing Adani row, let’s take a look at India’s biggest scams in history.

Harshad Mehta

Harshad Mehta, a registered and well-known broker carried out India’s biggest scam in the stock market in 1992. Mehta was accused of manipulating the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with his partners by taking advantage of the loopholes in the banking system, reports said.

He created a cycle of fraud with banks including the State Bank of India and the National Housing Bank.

Reports also say Mehta conspired with bank employees and got fake bank receipts issued and used those bank receipts to get other banks to lend him money. The amount was further put into the stock market to spike share prices by up to 4,400 per cent and Mehta then sold these shares at a staggering profit. After this, the principal amount was returned to the banks.

Referred to as the Big Bull of Dalal Street, Mehta defrauded the banks of almost Rs 4,000 crore. On February 28, 1992, the tax department carried out a raid and seized several documents and share certificates. On June 4, 1992, the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted a search on the Mehtas.

Reports say the tax return filed by Harshad Mehta for the assessment year 1992-93 was rejected and he was jailed in 1992.

Further, Mehta was convicted by both the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court and was charged with 74 criminal offences. His legal battles continued till 2001 when he died due to a cardiac arrest in jail at 47.

B Ramalinga Raju

The scam carried out by B Ramalinga Raju is popular as Satyam Scam 2009. The fraud involved corporate governance and fraudulent auditing practices allegedly colluding with the auditors and CAs. Raju’s company Satyam Computer Services Ltd. was accused of misrepresenting its accounts to its stock exchanges, board, regulators, investors, and all other stakeholders.

After the scam came to light, the company admitted that they misrepresented, manipulated and falsified their accounts of over Rs 14,000 crore. Reports say Raju raised the cash to purchase several thousands of acres of land across Andhra Pradesh for a realty marker.

Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi along with his uncle Mehul Choksi pulled out one of the biggest bank frauds in India. The scam took place through Punjab National Bank Brady House Brand and also involved two senior PNB officials with Modi and Choksi.

In 2018, the PNB registered a case with CBI and accused Nirav Modi and his companies of obtaining Letters of Undertaking from the PNB without paying up the margin amount against loans. Additionally, the bank also submitted a fraud report to the Reserve Bank of India.

The same year Nirav Modi left India to evade the law days before a case was filed against him and others involved in the case.

Vijay Mallya

In 2016, the Kingfisher owner fled the country after he was accused of fraud and money laundering. Reports say Mallya owes more than Rs 9,000 crore to multiple banks he took loans from for his personal agenda and to save his Kingfisher airlines.

He took refuge in the United Kingdom and was also declared a fugitive economic offender at the request of the Enforcement Directorate under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

Mallya left the country on March 2, 2016, after being warned of an arrest. However, he claimed that his trip to London was a part of his business pattern and lifestyle. A warrant was petitioned under Mallya for the crimes under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, of 2022. Following this, he was arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police on an international warrant.

However, he was granted bail worth $650,005,40,87,856 and was asked to hand over his documents, reports said.

Related Topics:Biggest scams in India Harshad Mehta Nirav Modi Vijay Mallya

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Air India sacks Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after failing drug test

Air India has terminated the Phuket-Delhi flight pilot after a confirmatory test found a psychoactive substance following the August 4 incident.

Published

10 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.

Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.

Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect

In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.

Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.

The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.

The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.

However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.

AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding

The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.

The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.

The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.

Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.

India News

India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

16 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

20 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.