The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) arrested three individuals, including Abhishek Kulshrestha, identified as the Maharashtra head of Speak Asia, on Tuesday night. These arrests are part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged Rs 2,276 crore fraud case, occurring as a December deadline to file a chargesheet approaches.

The arrests follow the granting of anticipatory bail to Speak Asia panelist and public spokesperson Aman Azad, also known as Vivek Sharma, just over a week prior. Authorities had not clarified their next steps in the case after Azad's bail.

Mateen Hafeez of the Times of India reported the arrests of Kulshrestha, Tabrez Ansari, and Saeed Mazgaonkar. All three were presented before a court and remanded in police custody until November 4. Police sources indicate Kulshrestha, an MBA, worked with Speak Asia between April 2010 and February 2013. He originates from Bareili in Uttar Pradesh.

Ansari and Mazgaonkar, both Mumbai residents, previously worked for Speak Asia. They later established Status Associates, a firm that supplied panelists to Speak Asia. Investigators found Rs 2.25 crore in their account. Kulshrestha continued to receive a salary even after Speak Asia ceased operations in May 2011.

The EOW stated Kulshrestha was named in their First Information Report but proved difficult to apprehend, having vanished for some time. The extended duration of the investigation is partly attributed to a sustained campaign of misinformation circulated by associates of Speak Asia CEO Manoj Kumar. There has also been a coordinated effort to hide individuals who might provide crucial information after their apprehension.

Manoj Kumar, the CEO of Speak Asia, has remained a fugitive since the company's shutdown in 2011. He cultivated a culture where top executives evaded authorities. Several other key local management figures associated with Kumar have also gone into hiding at various points as police investigations progressed.

Kulshrestha is not the only associate reportedly paid by Manoj Kumar after Speak Asia's shutdown in May 2011. AISPA President Melvin Crasto was also taken into custody following his apprehension.