Enforcement Directorate (ED) Raids Unearth ₹25 Crore Unaccounted Cash in Ranchi
Desk Report, May 06, 2024: In a sweeping operation targeting alleged money laundering activities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a series of raids across multiple locations in Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand. The raids, conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), resulted in the discovery of an astounding ₹25 crore in unaccounted cash.
The focus of these raids centered on approximately half a dozen locations associated with Virendra Ram, the former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, and his close associates. Ram had previously been apprehended by the ED in February 2023 in connection with a money laundering case.
During the recent raids, compelling video footage emerged revealing a substantial pile of currency notes strewn across a room purportedly belonging to the domestic aide of Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. Alam, a 70-year-old Congress leader representing the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly, finds himself embroiled in this unfolding saga.
The discovery of such a significant sum of unaccounted cash has reignited concerns over rampant corruption within the state. Pratul Shahdev, spokesperson for the Jharkhand BJP, condemned the situation, emphasizing the implications for electoral integrity. “Corruption is not ending in Jharkhand,” Shahdev remarked, expressing apprehension over the potential utilization of these funds during elections. He urged the Election Commission to intervene decisively.
The ED’s operation is currently underway across nine locations, including Sail City in Ranchi. Teams are diligently scouring various areas, including Bariatu, Morhabadi, and Bodia, in pursuit of evidence. Notably, one team is actively seeking Vikas Kumar, an engineer from the Road Construction Department, in Sail City, underscoring the breadth and depth of the investigative efforts.
As the raids progress and investigations unfold, the spotlight remains fixed on the intricate web of financial irregularities and alleged misconduct that continues to plague the corridors of power in Jharkhand.
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