The Enforcement Directorate uncovered a significant amount of unaccounted cash, estimated between Rs 20 to 30 crore, from the residence of the house help of Sanjiv Lal, personal secretary to Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam. These findings emerged from a series of raids conducted across multiple locations in Ranchi earlier today.

The cash, predominantly in Rs 500 denominations, along with some jewelry, is currently undergoing a meticulous counting process to determine the exact sum. Additionally, Rs 3 crore was seized from another location during the same raids.

Alamgir Alam, aged 70, serves as Jharkhand’s Rural Development Minister and represents the Pakur constituency in the state assembly. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case involving Virendra K Ram, the former chief engineer of the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was apprehended last year.

Virendra K Ram’s arrest in February 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate stemmed from extensive searches conducted across Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and other locations in Jharkhand, Bihar, and Delhi. The case, originally flagged by the Jharkhand anti-corruption bureau (ACB), revolves around alleged irregularities in the department’s scheme implementations.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Virendra K Ram acquired illicit proceeds through commissions from contractors in exchange for tender allotments. Meanwhile, the BJP has called for Alamgir Alam’s immediate custody and thorough interrogation in light of the cash discoveries, asserting a pattern of corruption within the Congress-led government.

These recent events underscore the persistent challenge of combating corruption and illicit financial activities within the political landscape. The recovery of substantial sums of unaccounted cash raises pertinent questions regarding transparency, accountability, and adherence to regulatory frameworks.

Pratul Shah Deo, a spokesperson for the Jharkhand BJP, has urged the Election Commission of India to address the implications of such cash seizures, particularly amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The coordinated efforts of investigative agencies and governmental bodies are essential in upholding the rule of law and ensuring integrity within the governance system.

In a separate development, Income Tax authorities seized over Rs 300 crore in unaccounted cash during raids on premises linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu in Odisha and Jharkhand last December. This marked a significant milestone in combating black money, highlighting the persistent challenges in curbing financial malpractices.

Furthermore, the arrest of Pankaj Mishra, a close associate of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, in 2022 for money laundering in an illegal mining case, underscores the multifaceted nature of corruption investigations within the region.

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