ED summons Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam days after Rs 37 cr seized in raids

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• May 12, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

The agency seized valuable jewelry from Jahangir Alam's residence, adding a glimmer of conspiracy...

Digital Desk: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam in connection with the recovery of unaccounted cash amounting to over Rs 37 crore from the premises of the house help of his personal secretary. The senior Congress MLA has been directed to appear before the agency on May 14 at its zonal office in Ranchi.

The investigation was triggered by a raid on May 6, when the ED uncovered the staggering sum at the apartment of Jahangir Alam, the house help of Alamgir Alam’s personal secretary, Sanjeev Lal. Both Alam and Lal were subsequently arrested following the discovery.

The cash seizure was part of a broader crackdown across multiple locations in Ranchi by the probe agency. Counting machines were brought in to tally the unaccounted cash, primarily found in Rs 500 denomination notes. Additionally, the agency unearthed some jewellery from Jahangir Alam’s residence during the operation.

Alamgir Alam, a 70-year-old Congress leader, serves as the Rural Development Minister in Jharkhand and represents the Pakur seat in the state Assembly.

These developments are linked to an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case involving Virendra K Ram, the former chief engineer of the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was arrested last year. The case stems from alleged irregularities in the implementation of departmental schemes.

The genesis of the money laundering case against Virendra K Ram lies in a complaint filed by the Jharkhand anti-corruption bureau (ACB). The Enforcement Directorate took over the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) Act after a significant cash haul was discovered from one of Ram’s subordinates in 2019.

Alamgir Alam declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing elections and the ED investigation. While acknowledging the scrutiny, he emphasized that "people are understanding everything."