Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids across multiple locations in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi on Monday, resulting in the discovery of an estimated ₹25 crore in unaccounted cash. The raids, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted approximately half a dozen locations associated with Virendra Ram, the former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, and his inner circle.
#WATCH | Jharkhand: Huge amount of cash recovered from household help of Sanjiv Lal – PS to Jharkhand Rural Development minister Alamgir Alam – in ED raids at multiple locations in Ranchi in Virendra Ram case. ED arrested Virendra K. Ram, the chief engineer at the Jharkhand… pic.twitter.com/4wTJxsNtpy
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Video footage captured during the raid depicts a significant pile of currency notes scattered across a room purportedly belonging to the domestic aide of Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. Alamgir Alam, a 70-year-old Congress leader representing the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly, has not been implicated in the current investigation.
Critics have pointed to the discovery of unaccounted cash as evidence of rampant corruption in Jharkhand, particularly concerning the potential misuse of funds during elections. Pratul Shahdev, spokesperson for the Jharkhand BJP, emphasized the need for action by the Election Commission in response to such revelations.
The probe agency’s operations spanned nine locations, including Sail City in Ranchi. One ED team focused on locating Vikas Kumar, an engineer from the Road Construction Department, in the Sail City area. Meanwhile, simultaneous raids were conducted in the Bariatu, Morhabadi, and Bodia neighborhoods, reflecting the scope of the investigation into financial irregularities.
As the ED continues its efforts to uncover illicit financial activities and clamp down on money laundering operations, further developments are expected to emerge from the ongoing raids in Ranchi and surrounding areas.
