Rapido Driver’s Account Used as ₹330-Crore Money Laundering Tunnel

A grand destination wedding at Udaipur’s Taj Aravalli Resort in November 2024 has now become the centre of a major money-laundering scandal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), while investigating illegal betting operations, uncovered that over ₹1 crore used for the wedding of Gujarat youth political figure Aditya Zula was routed through the bank account of a Rapido bike driver in Delhi.

The driver, who earned barely ₹500–600 a day, saw an unbelievable ₹331.36 crore pass through his account between August 2024 and April 2025. Investigators believe he either unknowingly allowed his account to be used or participated knowingly for monthly commissions. His account functioned as a classic mule channel, receiving betting proceeds—linked to offshore networks such as 1xBet—and forwarding them to unidentified recipients.

ED’s probe revealed a sophisticated layering system where illicit funds were split into structured deposits and funneled through the driver’s account before being moved through hawala-like routes. Payments for the wedding were similarly disguised, processed through the same account under parallel booking arrangements to evade detection.

This trail connects directly to ED’s wider investigation into offshore betting platforms like 1xBet, which depend heavily on gig workers, students, and low-income individuals to circulate illegal funds. The model mirrors the operations of the ₹5,000-crore Mahadev app network, reflecting the rapid expansion of mule accounts across India’s digital economy.

Individuals who allow their bank accounts to be misused face serious legal consequences. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they risk up to 10 years’ imprisonment, asset confiscation, and presumed knowledge of wrongdoing. Additional charges include cheating, forgery, conspiracy, and violations under banking and FEMA regulations.

Beyond legal penalties, consequences include immediate account freeze, passport impoundment, restrictions on future bank access, and long-term financial surveillance. Even claiming ignorance rarely provides relief unless the individual proactively reports misuse.

The case is a sharp warning for Digital India, exposing the gap between rapid digital payment adoption and low financial literacy. As ED strengthens its crackdown, it highlights the need for stronger KYC, public awareness, and AI-driven monitoring to prevent vulnerable citizens from becoming conduits for massive financial crimes.