ED officer who probed Modi, Choksi, Mallya, Malik cases quits:Early decision of VRS sparks debate over his unexpected exit

The unexpected decision of Enforcement Directorate (ED) Special Director Satyavrat Kumar to seek voluntary retirement, despite having 11 years of service remaining, has triggered intense discussion within bureaucratic and enforcement circles. Kumar, currently posted in Siliguri, built a reputation as one of the agency’s most prominent investigators after spending nearly 11 years in Mumbai, where he handled some of India’s most sensitive financial crime cases. His decision has surprised many observers, particularly because he remained closely associated with several high-profile investigations that frequently dominated national headlines. While no official reason has been disclosed for his move, the timing has fuelled speculation across administrative circles. Major role in landmark investigations A 2004-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) officer, Kumar joined the ED as Joint Director in Mumbai in 2013. During his long stint heading key investigations in the city, he oversaw multiple complex cases involving alleged financial fraud, money laundering and corruption. Among the most significant probes handled under his leadership were: • The ₹12,500-crore Punjab National Bank fraud involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi • The ₹9,200-crore bank loan default case linked to fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya and the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines • Investigations related to former Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik • Cases involving Anil Deshmukh and Sanjay Raut His role in these investigations helped establish him as one of the agency’s most recognisable officers. Extension followed by transfer Recognising his contribution to several sensitive investigations, the government granted Kumar a special extension in 2022, allowing him to continue serving in the ED until October 2026. After spending more than a decade in Mumbai, he was transferred in September 2024 and elevated as Special Director for the Kolkata region. The posting was viewed as a significant administrative responsibility, given the importance of the region in several ongoing economic offence investigations. Handled terror funding and betting probes Beyond banking fraud cases, Kumar was also involved in several other major investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Key cases included: • The terror-funding probe linked to drugs syndicate figure Iqbal Memon alias Iqbal Mirchi • The Yes Bank-DHFL case involving Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor • The multi-million-dollar Mahadev Online Betting app investigation However, in 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet decided to curtail his tenure in the ED and repatriate him to his parent cadre, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Against this backdrop, his decision to opt for voluntary retirement has attracted even greater attention, leaving many questions unanswered about the reasons behind his abrupt departure from public service.