Kochi: Former Congress legislator Anil Akkara, who played a key role in exposing the Rs 324-crore Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam, has claimed that if the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe proceeds in the right direction in this case, top CPI-M leaders will be named as accused in the final charge sheet.

Akkara’s remarks come in response to news that the ED has summoned Alathur Lok Sabha MP K. Radhakrishnan for questioning.

He alleged that Radhakrishnan, along with former minister and current CPI-M legislator A.C. Moideen and former Thrissur CPI-M district secretary M.M. Varghese, would be named as accused if the investigation is conducted thoroughly.

“So far, these leaders have been shielded due to a secret deal struck during the 2024 Thrissur Lok Sabha election. However, the ED has already recovered Rs 60 lakh from CPI-M party bank accounts and Rs 40 lakh from Moideen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This scam occurred during their tenure as Thrissur district CPI-M secretaries,” Akkara said.

The ED’s latest notice to Radhakrishnan comes after a gap of more than six months in the investigation. Radhakrishnan, a former two-time state minister and ex-Speaker, is a prominent CPI-M leader from Thrissur. The notice has put the ruling party on the defensive as it prepares for the 24th Party Congress in Madurai this April.

Radhakrishnan, a member of the CPI-M Central Committee, was served the notice upon his recent arrival in Thrissur. The party is reportedly seeking to delay his appearance, citing the ongoing Parliament session.

This is the first time Radhakrishnan has been summoned since the scam surfaced, sending shockwaves through the party. The ED has already questioned several senior CPI-M leaders, including Moideen, former Lok Sabha member P.K. Biju, former CPI-M legislator M.K. Kannan, and M.M. Varghese.

Several local CPI-M leaders and employees of the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank were arrested and jailed in connection with the scam, although many have since secured bail.

The Thrissur Lok Sabha seat holds particular significance as it was the only constituency in Kerala where the BJP emerged victorious in 2024, with actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi clinching the win.

IANS

Bhubaneswar: A special court in Odisha has ordered the restoration of Rs 450 crore worth funds attached by the Enforcement Directorate in the multi-state chit fund scam allegedly perpetrated by the Rose Valley group of companies to the lawful claimants and investors.

The special PMLA court in Bhubaneswar has ordered the release of Rs 332.76 crore of proceeds of crime, whose present value is Rs 450 crore with interest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement.

The Rose Valley was led by its managing director Gautam Kundu.

The amount was attached by the ED and was held as a fixed deposit in various bank accounts.

The Rose Valley group of companies allegedly used to operate in the states of Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.

The court of special judge CBI-I-cum-special judge under PMLA Bhubaneswar through an order dated March 7 allowed an application filed by the asset disposal committee (ADC) to release movable property under the possession of ED, Bhubaneswar, in favour of the committee for restitution of the same to the lawful investors all over the country.

The Calcutta High Court had constituted the ADC under the chairmanship of Justice Dillip Kr Seth (Retd) for restitution of properties to the lawful investors of the Rose Valley group of companies.

Till now, around 31 Lakh investors of Rose Valley have registered their claims on the website www.rosevalleyadc.com.

The ED is providing assistance to the ADC in conducting survey and valuation of the confirmed attached properties and facilitating expeditious monetisation of assets for timely disbursal of the same to the investors and victims of the alleged scam.

The restitution process is expected to continue over the coming months as more claims are being scrutinised and validated by the ADC.

The ADC has processed 32,319 claims, resulting in the disbursal of around Rs 22 crore of funds to the lawful investors.

The ED has also requested the investors of Rose Valley group who have not lodged their claims to do so immediately by logging on to www.rosevalleyadc.com and uploading details of the documents as required.

PTI

Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate Monday raided premises of former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel as part of a probe against his son in an alleged liquor scam linked to a money laundering case, official sources said.

The premises of Bhupesh Baghel’s son — Chaitanya Baghel — in Bhillai and some other persons in the state are being searched under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.

Chaitanya Baghel shares the Bhillai accommodation with his father and hence the premises are being covered.

Some “links” have emerged between Chaitanya Baghel and the liquor syndicate and some others which are being probed, the sources said.

About 14-15 premises are being raided in the state, they said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier said the Chhattisgarh liquor “scam” resulted in “massive loss” to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of a liquor syndicate with more than Rs 2,100 crore of proceeds of crime.

The ED had arrested former minister and Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma in this case in January apart from Anwar Dhebar, the elder brother of Raipur mayor and Congress leader Aijaz Dhebar, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Indian Telecom Service (ITS) officer Arunpati Tripathi and some others as part of its investigation.

The alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, as per the ED, was orchestrated between 2019 and 2022, when a Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel ruled the state.

The agency has attached assets worth about Rs 205 crore of various accused as part of its probe till now.

PTI

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has arrested SDPI national president M K Faizy under the anti-money laundering law, official sources said Tuesday.

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), founded in 2009 and headquartered in Delhi, is alleged to be the political front of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

Faizy, according to the sources, was taken into custody Monday night from the Delhi international airport under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED had earlier called SDPI as the “political front” of PFI. The PFI was banned by the Union government in September, 2022 calling it an “unlawful association”.

Before the ban came, simultaneous raids and enforcement action were conducted against the PFI by multiple probe agencies, including the ED, NIA and various state police forces.

The SDPI, however, denies such a link and calls itself an independent outfit.

According to the SDPI, Faizy is among the founder leaders of the organisation and was elected its national president in 2018.

He is an Islamic scholar and a political observer who served as a Masjid Imam in the 1980s, it said on its portal.

The organisation, according to officials in the investigative agencies, has a “strong” influence in various pockets of Kerala and Karnataka and some other south Indian states.

The ED, as part of its probe against the PFI in 2022, had linked Faizy with a Kerala-based PFI leader named Abdul Razak BP, who is alleged to have “transferred” Rs 2 lakh to the SDPI national president as part of the fundraising activities of his (Razak’s) organisation.

Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Police Friday arrested a man for allegedly duping a City-based investor of Rs 11.62 lakh on false promises of attractive returns on investments through online trading.

The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Sahoo alias Mantu, 30, a native of Chitalpur in the Dhenkanal district. Earlier, three of his associates – Sidheswar Jena, Ashim Kumar Mishra, and Prafulla Kumar Bej –were arrested February 24 in connection with the case, said Cyber Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Tereskova Mohaptra.

A mobile phone and a laptop, along with proofs of cryptocurrency transactions on Binance, were seized during the arrest, she said.

The IIC said Manoj used to collect the amount from investors and distribute the same among other members of the group. The accused men ran advertisements on Facebook, luring the victims to join their WhatsApp group “D53-AXIS Securities Group”.

Tereskova also said the complainant, too, was lured to join the group by a similar pattern. He was promised a 100 per cent return on his investment, along with assurances that the funds are managed in compliance with SEBI guidelines and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Also Read: NHRC seeks ATR on displacement of 4,000 tribals

Trusting their claims, the victim transferred Rs 11.62 lakh into multiple bank accounts. However, he was removed immediately from the group. On enquiring, the fraudsters denied receiving any such transactions. Realising that he had been duped, the victim lodged an FIR January 27.

Manoj was booked under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of BNS and produced before a local court Friday.

PNN

Bhubaneswar: The special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) here has framed charges against individuals and entities involved in the multi-state Rose Valley chit fund scam, informed the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhubaneswar Zonal office in a press release Thursday.

As per a press statement, the agency had earlier attached moveable properties worth Rs 332 Crore in 2014 and 2015 through provisional attachment orders in this case. The value of the attached properties is currently at over Rs 400 Crore, which includes the interest as well.

“A Prosecution Complaint was filed in 2016 against Gautam Kundu and Shibamoy Dutta, promoters of the Rose Valley Group. On 15.01.2025, the Special Court framed charges against the accused paving the way for restoring the attached properties to legitimate claimants, with the court’s approval. This marks an important milestone in delivering justice and protecting the rights of defrauded investors,” informed the ED.

The case against Rose Valley Group was also being investigated in the Kolkata Zonal Office, Guwahati Zonal Office and Agartala Sub Zonal Offices of ED. In Kolkata Zone, in one case Rs. 12.36 Crore, along with accrued interest totalling Rs. 19.40 Crore, has already been handed over to the Asset Disposal Committee (ADC) formed by Calcutta High Court and has been further resituated to the victims.

Further properties worth Rs. 1,172.68 crores of the poniz firm, including Rs. 147.64 Crore in movable assets and immovable assets valued at Rs. 1,025.04 Crore have also been attached by ED Kolkata and are in the process of restitution. The value of immovable property, with a deed value exceeding Rs. 1,000 Crore at the time of purchase, is likely to be worth much more today.

Similarly, in Guwahati, assets worth Rs. 38.30 Crore have been secured, while in Agartala, immovable properties worth Rs. 8.01 Crore have been attached. ED is expediting the framing of charges in these cases and is working in close coordination with the one-man Asset Disposal Committee for expedited monetization and restitution of these assets to the rightful claimants and victims of the fraud.

Notably, the special court (PMLA) in Bhubaneswar has also framed charges in 9 other cases since September 2024. These cases relate to bribery scandals, extortion, chit-fund scams, builder investor disputes, bank frauds, narcotics trade, illegal wildlife trade etc.

The total value of confirmed properties attached in these cases stands at approximately Rs 160 crore as of date. It is also important to mention here that ED, Bhubaneswar Zonal office has filed 75 Prosecution Complaints (Chargesheets) at the Special Court (PMLA) to date.

IANS

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has granted sanction to the Enforcement Directorate to prosecute former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials said Wednesday.

The federal agency filed a chargesheet against the 56-year-old politician before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court here last year after arresting him in March.

Kejriwal, who is currently out on bail in this case, is contesting the Delhi Assembly polls from the New Delhi seat.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently granted the required sanction to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for prosecuting Kejriwal under the anti-money laundering law in the Delhi excise policy case, officials said.

The ministry is the competent authority to okay such a request moved by the agency through the Delhi LG, they said.

The officials said similar sanctions have also been obtained for other accused public servants, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in this case.

The development comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls slated to be held February 5.

The agency is now seeking such sanction against all accused political leaders, ministers and bureaucrats under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against whom it has filed chargesheets or is about to file.

This came after the Supreme Court’s November 2024 ruling which said such a procedure has to be undertaken by the ED like the CBI.

Kejriwal has been made an accused in his personal capacity as well as in the capacity of being the national convenor of the AAP.

The former chief minister was called the “kingpin and key conspirator” of the Delhi excise “scam” by the ED.

It was alleged that he acted in collusion with Delhi government ministers, the AAP leaders and others.

The ED had earlier claimed that AAP, being a political party, is defined as an association or a body of individual citizens of India under the Representation of the People Act and hence it can be categorised as a “company” as contemplated under Section 70 of the PMLA.

As Kejriwal was “in-charge of and responsible” for the said company i.e. AAP during the time of offence, he and his party “shall be deemed guilty” of offences mentioned under the anti-money laundering law and liable to be prosecuted and punished, it said.

The excise case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena had recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. Subsequently, the ED registered a case under the PMLA.

Taking cognisance of a CBI FIR lodged August 17, 2022, the ED filed its money laundering case on August 22, 2022 to probe the alleged irregularities.

PTI

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate has taken possession of a flat worth Rs 55 lakh in Maharashtra’s Thane, held in the name of an alleged associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar, as part of a money laundering probe.

Sources in the federal probe agency said Tuesday that the residential dwelling in Neopolis Building located in Thane West was attached as part of a provisional order issued under the PMLA in 2022 against its owner Mumtaz Ezaz Shaikh.

The adjudicating authority of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had approved this provisional attachment order paving way for the ED to take its possession. The procedure for taking possession of the flat was completed recently, the sources said.

The ED had earlier alleged in a statement that this flat was extorted by Kaskar and others from a Thane-based real estate developer Suresh Devichand Mehta.

“Mehta was running the business of construction with his partner through his firm Darshan Enterprises. The accused Iqbal Kaskar, Mumtaz Shaikh and Israr Ali Jamil Saiyad due to close proximity with underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar managed to extort one flat in Thane in the name of Mumtaz Ezaz Shaikh,” the agency had said.

Besides the flat, it had then said, four cheques totalling Rs 10 lakhs “as demanded by them” were issued by the builder which has been “encashed” by the accused through cash withdrawals.

The money laundering stems from a Thane Police FIR of September 2017. The police had pressed charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.

Kaskar is currently in jail under judicial custody. Dawood Ibrahim has been declared a terrorist by India and is stated to be based in Pakistan.

PTI

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has asked officials to not rely just on the provision of “criminal conspiracy” while registering a money laundering case, but also add more sections such 66(2) of the PMLA to ensure they stand the court scrutiny, official sources said Monday.

The directions come after multiple recent court rulings, including by the Supreme Court, stated that section 120-B of the IPC (now 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) cannot be a standalone “predicate offence” for registering a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and that a “scheduled offence” under the PMLA should accompany its application.

In light of these judgements, the federal agency has also asked its investigators to effectively put to use provisions of section 66(2) of the PMLA which allows the ED to share information about an offence with a predicate agency like the police department or Customs to file a fresh FIR or complaint, on the basis of which the agency can file its money laundering case.

The courts have ruled that Section 120-B of the IPC alone is not enough to register a money laundering case and launch the investigation. In some instances, some ED FIRs or cases have been quashed, sources said.

Hence, they said, it has been directed that in order to build a water-tight case, other sections of the law that are listed in the schedule of the PMLA should be applied in the ED ECIR (FIR).

Money laundering cases of the ED against Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar and retired Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja and some others are among those which were quashed by the courts on this ground.

In the Chhattisgarh case, the ED used its powers vested under Section 66(2) of the PMLA and shared “fresh evidence” with the state police’s economic offences wing (EOW) which filed a fresh FIR against Tuteja and others.

The ED then filed a new money laundering case on the basis of this EOW complaint.

PTI

New Delhi: Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has strongly refuted reports claiming that Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has sanctioned the prosecution of AAP National Convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

In a post on X Saturday, Sisodia wrote, “If LG Saxena has given permission to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, then why is the ED not showing the copy of that permission? It is clear that this news is false and misleading. Stop making empty claims to divert attention from the issue of insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar. Show where the sanction to prosecute is.”

Also Read | AAP’s second list: Avadh Ojha replaces Manish Sisodia in Patparganj

Earlier, sources reported that LG Saxena had approved the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request to prosecute Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the liquor policy case.

The alleged liquor policy scam is one of the biggest allegations levelled by Opposition BJP against the Kejriwal-led AAP government.

While a PMLA case is already filed against Kejriwal, the trial is yet to begin. Following a Supreme Court directive mandating the LG’s approval for prosecuting public officials in such cases, the ED reportedly sought permission through the Chief Secretary.

In March, the ED arrested Kejriwal over alleged money laundering related to the scam. He was released on bail in September after months in custody. Following his release, Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister of Delhi and vowed to return to office only after winning the 2025 Assembly elections.

Sisodia, who has also faced legal troubles in the liquor policy case, was granted bail in August after 18 months of imprisonment. The court cited his right to a speedy trial in its decision.

The ED had alleged that Kejriwal and Sisodia made changes in the Excise Policy 2021-22 to help a ‘South lobby’ in return for a bribe of Rs 100 crore. Out of this, the AAP used Rs 45 crore for campaigning in Goa elections, the ED sources claimed.

Kejriwal meanwhile has appealed to the Delhi High Court to cancel the charge sheet, following which a notice was issued to the ED Friday.

IANS

Guwahati: Actor Tamannaah Bhatia was questioned by the ED here Thursday in connection with a money laundering case probe linked to the ‘HPZ Token’ mobile app in which several investors were allegedly duped on the pretext of mining Bitcoins and some other cryptocurrencies, official sources said.

The Enforcement Directorate said the statement of the 34-year-old actor was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at its zonal office here.

Sources said Bhatia received some funds for making a “celebrity appearance” at an event of the app company and there were no “incriminating” charges against her.

She was called earlier too but she deferred the summons due to work and chose to appear on Thursday, they said.

A total of 299 entities, including 76 Chinese-controlled entities in which 10 directors are of Chinese origin while two entities are controlled by other foreign nationals, have been named as accused in the charge sheet filed by the ED in this case in March.

The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the cyber crimes unit of Kohima Police that booked various accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Information Technology Act for allegedly duping “gullible” investors by promising astronomical returns by mining Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies.

Police said the ‘HPZ Token’ mobile phone application was used by the accused to “cheat” the investors.

The agency said bank accounts and merchant IDs were opened by various “shell entities” having “dummy” directors for the purpose of “layering” the proceeds of crime.

PTI 

Kolkata: TMC MLA Sudipto Roy appeared before the ED here Thursday for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, official sources said.

Roy is president of the West Bengal Medical Council and also holds charge of the RG Kar Patients’ Welfare Committee. He was earlier questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is also probing into the alleged irregularities.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker arrived at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in the Salt Lake area around 1 pm.

The premises of the MLA from Sreerampur in Hooghly district, apart from that of some others, was also searched by the ED Tuesday.

Roy was asked to appear at the ED office in Kolkata Thursday.

Apart from questioning, some phones seized are to be opened in his presence, the sources said.

The CBI has arrested former institute principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and three of his alleged associates in this case. The ED case, filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), stems from the CBI FIR.

The irregularities surfaced after the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman doctor at the hospital on August 9, leading to massive protests in West Bengal and a continuing impasse between doctors and the state government.

The ED, following raids at the locations of Ghosh, claimed his wife purchased two immovable assets without “proper approval” from West Bengal government authorities.

PTI

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate Monday arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan as part of a money laundering investigation against him and some others linked to him, official sources said.

He was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted a search at his residence in Okhla area of the national capital.

The money laundering case against the 50-year-old legislator stems from two FIRs, one by the CBI in the Wakf Board related to alleged irregularities and another by the Delhi ACB related to an alleged case of possession of disproportionate assets.

Sources said Khan has evaded at least ten ED summons since he was last questioned in the case in April.

The legislator and his party broke the news first with Khan posting at 6:29 AM on his X handle that an ED team has reached his house in Okhla area to arrest him.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh also posted a video.

On X, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the only work left for the ED is to “suppress every voice raised against the BJP and break it”.

Those who do not break, are arrested and put in jail, he alleged.

PTI

Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday claimed to have attached properties worth Rs 1.52 crore belonging to Basanta Das, a mining lease holder, under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

A senior ED official said Das, the proprietor of M/S Das Minerals, held the lease of Kasiabeda iron ore mines at Badampahar in Mayurbhanj district.

The Central agency had taken up the investigation after a chargesheet was filed by Odisha Vigilance citing ‘illegal mining’ in Badampahar from 2005 to 2009. On the basis this, ED had also booked Anand Kumar in the past for conniving with Basanta Das in the alleged scam.

It is worth mentioning that searches were conducted in the residential and office premises of Das as part of the investigation.

PNN 

New Delhi: The Supreme Court said Friday that the power to arrest under the anti-money laundering law cannot be exercised according to the whims and fancies of the ED officer.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to alleged excise policy scam, said any undue indulgence and latitude to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will be deleterious to the constitutional values of rule of law and life and liberty of people.

“An officer cannot be allowed to selectively pick and choose material implicating the person to be arrested. They have to equally apply their mind to other material which absolves and exculpates the arrestee. The power to arrest under Section 19(1) of the PML Act cannot be exercised as per the whims and fancies of the officer,” the bench said in its 64-page verdict.

The bench said the ED officers acting under the Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cannot ignore or not consider the material which exonerates the arrestee.

“The legality of the ‘reasons to believe’ have to be examined based on what is mentioned and recorded therein and the material on record.

“However, the officer acting under Section 19(1) of the PML Act cannot ignore or not consider the material which exonerates the arrestee. Any such non-consideration would lead to difficult and unacceptable results,” it said.

The bench said the opinion of the ED officer is undoubtedly subjective, but formation of opinion should be in accordance with the law.

“Subjectivity of the opinion is not a carte blanche to ignore relevant absolving material without an explanation. In such a situation, the officer commits an error in law which goes to the root of the decision making process, and amounts to legal malice,” it said.

The bench made the observation as Kejriwal has argued that the ED has not mentioned in “grounds of arrest” the exculpatory statements made by the witnesses in the case and has only considered inculpatory statements in which he was named.

The top court said a view accepted in the 2022 verdict of Vijay Madanlal Choudhary, which upheld the validity of PMLA, is that the order of arrest under Section 19(1) of the PMLA is a decision taken by a high ranking officer.

“Thus, it is expected that the high ranking officer is conscious of the obligation imposed by Section 19(1) of the PMLA before passing an order of arrest. We are of the opinion that it would be incongruous to argue that the high ranking officer should not objectively consider all material, including exculpatory material,” it said.

The top court observed that a wrong application of law or arbitrary exercise of duty leads to illegality in the process and the court can exercise their judicial review to strike down such a decision.

“This would not amount to judicial overreach or interference with the investigation, as has been argued by the DoE (Directorate of Enforcement). The court only ensures that the enforcement of law is in accordance with the statute and the Constitution. An adverse decision would only help in ensuring better compliance with the statute and the principles of the Constitution,” it said.

The bench said jurisdictional review permits review of errors of law when constitutional or statutory terms, essential for the exercise of power, are misapplied or misconstrued.

“Judicial review is permissible to check improper exercise of power. For instance, it is an improper exercise of power when the power is not exercised genuinely, but rather to avoid embarrassment or for wreaking personal vengeance. Lastly, judicial review can be exercised when the authorities have not considered grounds which are relevant or have accounted for grounds which are not relevant,” it said.

Underscoring that error in the decision making process can vitiate a judgment or decision of a statutory authority, the bench said in terms of section 19(1) of the PMLA, a decision-making error can lead to the arrest and deprivation of liberty of the arrestee.

“Though not akin to preventive detention cases, but given the nature of the order entailing arrest – it requires careful scrutiny and consideration. Yet, at the same time, the courts should not go into the correctness of the opinion formed or sufficiency of the material on which it is based, albeit if a vital ground or fact is not considered or the ground or reason is found to be non-existent, the order of detention may fail,” it said.

PTI

Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate has arrested an alleged broker in connection with a land grab-linked money laundering case against former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and some others, official sources said.

According to them, 39-year-old Shekhar Prasad Mahto alias Sehkhar Kushwaha was arrested Wednesday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after his interrogation at the federal agency’s zonal office here.

Mahto is alleged to have “connived” with the prime accused in this case and former revenue department sub-inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad in preparing a “fake” deed and “tampering” government records to “acquire” a 4.83-acre land, valued at Rs 22.61 crore, in Ranchi.

The agency alleged that the man was “knowingly involved in the processes and activities connected with proceeds of crime (in the form of land and money) which are derived from illegal activities i.e. preparation of fake deeds, committing forgery, falsification and tampering with government records”.

It claimed that Mahto was “involved in a big conspiracy wherein huge proceeds of crime” were involved.

The ED produced Mahto before a special PMLA court here Thursday and informed the judge that the accused’s custody was required “to ascertain the proceeds of crime used and generated out of the said activities and to find the trail of proceeds of crime involved in the present case”.

The probe agency added that it wanted Mahto’s remand to “identify” the other beneficiaries of these activities.

More than 25 people, including Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, IAS officer and former Ranchi deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan, Bhanu Pratap Prasad and others have been arrested by the ED as part of this investigation.

Land parcels worth Rs 266 crore, including a clutch of plots spread across 8.86 acres in the Bargain area of Ranchi acquired “illegally” by Soren, have been attached by the agency till now and four charge sheets have been filed.

The latest supplementary chargesheet was filed June 7 before a special court here, according to official sources.

In a related development, the ED Wednesday informed the Jharkhand High Court that Soren was instrumental in illegally occupying land in the Bargain area of Ranchi.

Soren (48), who is also the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) executive president, had filed a petition before the high court May 27, seeking bail in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

He has strongly denied land-grabbing charges, saying the money laundering case was foisted against him by the BJP-led Central government as part of a political vendetta. Soren was arrested by the ED January 31 from the Ranchi Raj Bhavan, minutes after he resigned as chief minister.

“A racket of land mafia is active in Jharkhand which is involved in tampering the land records in Ranchi and Kolkata. Original land records of ownerships are either tampered or concealed to facilitate unlawful acquisition/possession/use of landed properties,” the ED had claimed.

Based on forged records, such land parcels are sold to other persons, it had said.

PTI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday held that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cannot arrest an accused under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after a special court has taken cognisance of the complaint of money laundering.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said when an accused appears before a court in pursuance of a summons, the agency will have to apply to the court concerned to get his custody.

“If the accused appears before the special court by summons (issued by court), it cannot be treated that he is in custody,” it said.

“Accused who appeared before the court pursuant to the summons not required to apply for bail, and thus twin conditions of Section 45 of PMLA not applicable,” the bench said in its judgment.

The twin conditions state that when an accused in a money laundering case applies for bail, the court has to first allow the public prosecutor to be heard and only when it is satisfied that the accused is not guilty and unlikely to commit a similar offence when released, can bail be granted.

The apex court judgment was pronounced on a question of whether an accused in a money laundering case has to meet the stringent twin test for bail even in cases where the special court takes cognisance of the offence.

PTI

Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Jharkhand Rural Development Minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alam for questioning in a money laundering case May 14, official sources said Sunday.

The federal agency had last week arrested Alam’s personal secretary and state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52) and the latter’s domestic help Jahangir Alam (42) following the seizure of more than Rs 32 crore cash from a flat linked to them.

Alam, 70, has been asked to depose at the zonal office of the ED in Ranchi Tuesday for recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.

The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities and payment of “bribes” in the state rural development department.

The agency had informed a special PMLA court here, while seeking the remand of the two arrested persons, that Lal collected “commission” on behalf of some influential people and government officials from “top to bottom” in the rural department are involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus.

The total seizure of cash by the ED in this case has been recorded at around Rs 36.75 crore as the agency seized about Rs 3 crore from other locations including Rs 10.05 lakh from Lal’s place apart from Rs 1.5 crore cash from a contractor’s place last Tuesday.

Alamgir Alam had distanced himself from the activities of Lal while speaking to reporters after the ED raids, pointing out that he had earlier served with other ministers of the state government too.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his election campaign speeches in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh last week, had mentioned the seizure of “mounds of cash”. The opposition parties had claimed the ED action was part of the campaign by the Centre to target their leaders.

The ED said that the names of “senior bureaucrats and politicians” have emerged in the case and this was being investigated.

It had conducted searches at the rural development ministry in Ranchi too with Lal accompanying ED officials.

The money laundering case of September 2020 is based on an anti-corruption branch (Jamshedpur) case of Jharkhand Police and a March 2023 FIR filed by the economic offences wing of the Delhi Police against former chief engineer of the state rural works department Veerendra Kumar Ram and some others.

Ram was arrested by the ED last year.

Ram, the ED claimed, used to “collect commissions” in terms of allocation of tender and execution of work and this commission of 1.5 per cent was “distributed” among his seniors and politicians.

It was alleged by the ED before the court that one such commission was handed over by Ram to Lal in September 2022.

The agency has arrested former chief minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, IAS officers Chhavi Ranjan and Pooja Singhal apart from other politically linked persons over the last 2-3 years as part of various money laundering investigations being conducted by it in the state.

PTI

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday announced 10 ‘Kejriwal ki guarantee’ amid the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, saying that these guarantees will alleviate the country from inflation and unemployment.

“Today we are going to announce 10 Kejriwal guarantees. We are late in doing so, it got delayed due to my arrest. I have not yet discussed this with the INDIA alliance but I am confident that the INDIA alliance will not face any difficulties with these guarantees,” Arvind Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference at the AAP headquarters along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi.

“After the formation of the INDIA alliance government, I will ensure that all these guarantees are fulfilled by all our colleagues,” said Kejriwal, adding that these 10 guarantees are the vision of a new India.

He said that many of these tasks should have been done in the past 75 years but now on a war scale, these tasks will be completed in five years.

“Among these guarantees is one that will alleviate the country from inflation and unemployment,” said the AAP National Convenor.

Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kejriwal said that recently, there has been talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee in the country.

“The public will decide whether to trust PM Modi’s guarantee or Kejriwal’s guarantee. PM Modi had guaranteed that Rs 15 lakh would be deposited in everyone’s account, which he did not fulfil. PM Modi guaranteed that two crore jobs would be created every year, which he did not fulfil. PM Modi guaranteed the implementation of the Swaminathan report to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce, which he shelved after becoming PM. He also guaranteed that every household in the country would have 24-hour electricity by 2022, but many cities still face electricity issues with prolonged power cuts,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.

He said that PM Modi failed to fulfil any of his promised guarantees.

“Kejriwal guaranteed free electricity, and we have provided it in Delhi and Punjab. We have ensured 24-hour electricity. We guaranteed the establishment of good schools, and we have built excellent schools for children,” he said.

He said that the AAP government has fulfilled all its guarantees while PM Modi’s guarantees are not worthy of trusting.

“And now, next year, PM Modi will retire, then who will fulfil the guarantees?” the Delhi Chief Minister asked.

While divulging the details of guarantees, he said that Kejriwal’s first guarantee is 24-hour electricity and free electricity for the poor within the country.

“We have calculated it. With an expenditure of Rs 1.25 lakh crore, the poor of the country will receive free electricity. The second guarantee is education. We will build excellent schools in the country, and every child will receive free education in government schools in every corner of villages and cities,” said Kejriwal.

He added that the third is health and its infrastructure. “We will arrange good treatment for everyone. Throughout the country, clinics will be opened in every village, city, and neighbourhood. District government hospitals will be turned into multi-specialty hospitals. Treatment will be free,” said Kejriwal.

He said that the fourth is the nation. “China has occupied our land. Everyone knows it and there are satellite images. We will reclaim the land that China has captured through diplomatic means and give full freedom to the army to take whatever steps necessary,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.

He added that the Agniveer scheme is harmful and will be discontinued.

“For farmers, the guarantee is to provide them with prices as per the Swaminathan report. Two crore jobs will be created. Corruption will be eradicated. The BJP’s washing machine will be broken. For the business community, the guarantee is to abolish the GST. It will be removed from the PMLA,” he said.

IANS

New Delhi: A Delhi court Tuesday extended, till May 15, the judicial custody of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with a money laundering case related to the excise policy case being probed by the CBI.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court has also set the next date for further arguments regarding the framing of charges against the accused in the case.

May 3, the Delhi High Court issued a notice on Sisodia’s petitions seeking bail after a trial court denied him regular bail in cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) pertaining to the alleged excise policy scam.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sought replies from both the agencies — the CBI and the ED.

While Sisodia remains under custody, Justice Kanta has allowed him to meet his wife once a week after noting that the ED has no objection to it.

Meanwhile, the matter will come up for the next hearing May 8

Judge Baweja had April 30 refused to grant bail to Sisodia who was seeking regular bail a second time.

Appearing before Judge Baweja, prosecutor Pankaj Gupta appearing for CBI had said that Sisodia does not satisfy the rigours for the grant of bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Claiming the AAP leader has political clout, the prosecutor said that he is influential and not entitled to parity.

The central probe agency accused Sisodia of being the main accused in the case and said that he might tamper with the evidence of the probe, which is at a nascent stage on certain key aspects.

Gupta also noted that he hasn’t gotten bail from the high court and the Supreme Court.

Sisodia’s bail application has been pending since February.

Last time, the ED had contended that Sisodia and the other accused persons were delaying the trial in the case.

Citing the bail granted to another accused, Benoy Babu, Sisodia’s counsel Mohit Mathur had argued for his bail, saying that he no longer holds a position of influence.

He had also stressed that Sisodia met the triple test for bail, as outlined by the Supreme Court, and urged for a speedy trial. Mathur further said that Sisodia’s eligibility for bail is established, given the fulfilment of all necessary conditions and the absence of any misuse of liberties, as per the Supreme Court’s guidelines.

IANS