The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets valued at ₹16.95 crore (approximately $2 million USD) as part of its investigation into a ₹122-crore fraud at New India Co-operative Bank Ltd (NICBL). The assets, which include fixed deposits, bank balances, residential flats, a commercial office, and agricultural land, are linked to Hiren Bhanu, the bank's former chairman, and his family. The ED's investigation was initiated following an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police after the alleged fraud was uncovered during an audit by the Reserve Bank of India in February. Hitesh Mehta, the former general manager, has been arrested for allegedly siphoning off funds, manipulating accounting systems to create fictitious entries for cash transfers. Bhanu is accused of orchestrating the fraud, allegedly benefiting from proceeds amounting to about ₹26 crore. Investigators are also looking into Bhanu's acquisition of an overseas business entity and the routing of funds to foreign accounts. The EOW has issued a non-bailable warrant against Bhanu, who is believed to be abroad and has not cooperated with the investigation.