Additional Commissioner of Police (Economic Offences Wing) S B K Singh said these 18 people include property dealers, financiers and Gautam’s friends.

Singh, however, said that Gautam is “misleading” the investigating agency by giving incorrect information. “He is not stating the correct facts. We have to verify every person that he names before we reach any conclusion,” said Singh .

The other problem for the EOW— lack of documents. “We need documents like PAN card and loan applications so that we can confront the accused with the allottees on the basis of these documents,” added Singh.

The police have also found that Gautam was in regular touch with some of those who reportedly helped him in getting funds to pay the banks .

At present, the EOW is questioning the allottees who sought Gautam’s help in filling their applications. Their sale deeds have been seized.

The officers are also examining the role of other DDA officials. “We are verifying all those with whom Gautam is connected in the DDA,” said Singh.

The EOW said only one bank account of those used for transactions by the accused persons have been detected. Also, only four non-allottees’ applicants and 11 allottees have been found in Jhunjunu (Rajasthan), who were contacted by Laxmi Narain Meena.

EOW teams had also gone to Bulandshahar, Aligarh and Khurja (Uttar Pradesh) to question the applicants and other people contacted by Gautam.