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Enforcement Directorate Raids House of Domestic Help Linked to Jharkhand Minister in Ranchi, Unearths ₹25 Lakh in Unaccounted Cash
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The Enforcement Directorate on Monday conducted raids in Ranchi, and recovered Rs. 25 lakh in unaccounted cash, predominantly in ₹500 denominations, alongside confiscated jewelry. These raids are part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering, conducted in locations associated with Virendra Ram, the former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, and his associates. The investigation agency conducted simultaneous raids at nine locations, including Sail City in Ranchi. One team is searching for Vikas Kumar, an engineer from the Road Construction Department, while another is raiding areas in Bariatu, Morhabadi, and Bodia.
In February 2023, the ED arrested Virendra Ram, the former chief engineer of the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, in connection with a money laundering case. The raids conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) targeted approximately six locations linked to Ram and his associates.
Video recordings of the raid show a large quantity of currency notes strewn across a room allegedly belonging to the household staff of Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. Alamgir Alam, a 70-year-old Congress leader, serves as the representative for the Pakur constituency in the Jharkhand assembly. In the video footage, officials from the central investigative agency can be removing bundles of currency notes from bags within the room.
The investigation stemmed from an FIR filed by Jharkhand's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in November 2019 following the apprehension of Suresh Prasad Verma, a junior engineer, for accepting a bribe. During the ACB's probe, a substantial amount of cash was discovered in a property occupied by Alok Ranjan, Verma's cousin, who has connections to Virendra Ram. The ED's remand note alleges that Ram, along with his accountant, engaged in money laundering through fictitious transactions, channeling illicit funds into various bank accounts.
The BJP was quick to hit out and asked the Election Commission to take action. "The corruption is not ending in Jharkhand. This money during elections indicates that there is a plan to spend this money in the elections. The Election Commission should take action on this," said Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev.
