GUWAHATI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Ranchi on Monday, resulting in the discovery of a significant sum of cash in the possession of the domestic help of Sanjiv Lal, who serves as the personal secretary to Jharkhand's rural development minister, Alamgir Alam. This development is linked to the ongoing Virendra Ram case.
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According to sources within the ED, the seized cash is currently being tallied to determine its exact amount, which is estimated to range between ₹20-30 crore. Primarily consisting of ₹500 denomination notes, the recovered cash was found alongside some jewellery, as reported by PTI.
Alam, aged 70, is a prominent figure in the Congress party and represents the Pakur constituency in the Jharkhand assembly.
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Video footage depicts officials from the central probe agency uncovering bundles of currency notes from bags within a room during the operation.
Case History
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made significant progress Virendra Ram, the department's chief engineer, was arrested in February 2023 in connection with a money laundering case tied to suspected irregularities in the execution of government schemes.
The probe initiated with an FIR filed by the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in November 2019, following the apprehension of Suresh Prasad Verma, a junior engineer, for allegedly accepting a bribe.
During the ACB's investigation, a substantial amount of cash was found in a property owned by Verma and occupied by his cousin, Alok Ranjan, who has connections to Virendra Ram.
As per the remand note issued by the ED, Ram, along with his accountant, stands accused of laundering illicit funds through fictitious transactions. Allegedly, these funds were funneled into various bank accounts held by Ram and his family members. Moreover, it's claimed that the laundered money was used to purchase prime real estate in New Delhi, Jamshedpur, and Ranchi, as well as luxury vehicles.
