ED Cracks Down on Money Laundering Suspects
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is actively pursuing actions amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Recent reports indicate that the ED conducted a significant operation in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Monday, May 6, 2024, raiding approximately six locations in connection with suspected money laundering activities. This operation primarily targets places associated with suspended Chief Engineer Virendra Ram and his close associates.
Cash Seized During Raids
During these raids, the ED discovered a substantial amount of cash in the residence of the domestic servant of a secretary to a Jharkhand minister. The ED’s investigative team has covered various locations, including Cell City. It’s worth mentioning that Chief Engineer Virendra Ram was suspended due to his alleged involvement in a tender commission scam.
#WATCH | The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at multiple locations in Ranchi. Huge amount of cash recovered from household help of Sanjiv Lal – PS to Jharkhand Rural Development minister Alamgir Alam, in Virendra Ram case.
ED arrested Virendra K. Ram, the chief… pic.twitter.com/VTpUKBOPE7
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2024
Cash Recovery from Minister’s Personal Secretary
As per reports from ANI, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids across several locations in Ranchi. Notably, a significant amount of cash has been seized from the personal servant of Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam, Sanjeev Lal. Virendra K, Chief Engineer of Jharkhand Rural Development Department, was booked by the ED in February 2023 in a money laundering case related to suspected irregularities in certain government schemes. Ram was arrested following these charges.
Previous Arrest and Raids
The Enforcement Directorate had apprehended Virendra Ram on February 22, 2023, in connection with a commission scam related to tendering. A day prior to his arrest, on February 21, the ED had simultaneously conducted raids at 24 locations linked to Virendra. During these raids, the ED seized jewelry valued at around Rs 1.5 crore and documents indicating investments worth crores across various cities in the country. Besides Virendra, the charge sheet also mentions individuals allegedly involved in tender manipulation, detailing each person’s role and share of the illicit proceeds.
Revelations During Interrogation
During interrogation, Virendra Ram confessed to the ED that he had provided incorrect information in his Income Tax Returns (ITR). The investigation revealed transactions amounting to Rs 9.30 crore in his account between 2014-15 and 2018-19, as well as Rs 4.50 crore between December 22 and January 2023, far exceeding his known sources of income. Further investigation uncovered that after 2019, Virendra Ram frequently traveled to Delhi with his cousin Alok Ranjan, often carrying significant amounts of cash, which were handed over to Chartered Accountant Mukesh Mittal.