ED raid uncovers massive cash stash, Rs 20 cr recovered from Jharkhand minister aide's home

• Image Credit: Google

• May 6, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

The ED's actions underscore the agency's commitment to combating financial irregularities and money laundering activities...

Digital Desk: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a substantial amount of unaccounted cash during raids on premises allegedly connected to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam's Personal Secretary, Sanjiv Lal.

Reports indicate that approximately Rs 20 crore in cash was seized from the household help of Sanjiv Lal, who aids as the personal secretary to Alamgir Alam. Video footage from the raids depicts stacks of currency notes scattered across a room, purportedly belonging to the domestic help of Sanjiv Lal.

These searches were conducted as part of a money laundering investigation against former chief engineer of the rural development department, Virendra K Ram, who was apprehended by the ED last year. Ram stands accused of accumulating assets worth Rs 100 crore, with the ED having arrested him in February 2023 in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of government schemes. A pen drive containing purported transaction details involving various Jharkhand politicians was reportedly seized from his possession.

The raids have drawn political attention, with BJP MP from Jharkhand's Godda, Nishikant Dubey, highlighting the ED's actions on social media. Dubey described the ongoing count of seized cash, emphasizing the significance of the operation.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also weighed in on the matter, labeling those implicated in the raids as "lootera" (dacoits). He criticized political figures associated with corruption, suggesting that action must be taken against them to uphold accountability and justice.

The ED's actions underscore the agency's commitment to combating financial irregularities and money laundering activities, signaling a robust stance against corruption within governmental structures. As investigations progress, further revelations may shed light on the extent of alleged misconduct and its implications for the political landscape in Jharkhand.