National News Politics

ED Recovers Rs 30 Crore Cash In Jharkhand Linked To Minister

Six cash counting machines are working continuously to count the large amount of cash found in a room in Ranchi, Jharkhand, during a raid related to a money laundering case. So far, ₹30 crore worth of cash has been counted in the past 12 hours. Multiple machines have broken down during the process, and new ones have been brought in. The room where the cash was found belongs to Jahangir, who works as a house help for Sanjiv Lal, a personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alam.

The Enforcement Directorate discovered the cash during raids at several locations linked to Virendra Ram, a former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department. Ram was arrested last year in connection with a money laundering case involving alleged irregularities in government schemes.

The recovery of cash just days before the Lok Sabha election in Jharkhand has sparked a political controversy. The BJP has accused the Congress minister of being involved and has criticized the Opposition party for corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Odisha for the election campaign, referred to the cash haul. “Today, mountains of currency notes are being found in the neighbouring state Jharkhand. Now tell me, if I stop their theft, their earning, their loot, won’t they abuse Modi or not? Despite abuses, Shouldn’t I be doing this work? Shouldn’t I be saving your money,” he asked, countering the Opposition’s charge on the Centre’s alleged misuse of probe agencies.

Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi commented on the cash recovery, suggesting that if this amount was found in the house of a minister’s secretary’s helper, one can only imagine what might be found in the homes of the ministers themselves. He criticized the government and urged them, along with Kalpana Soren, to remove Alamgir Alam from his position as minister. Kalpana Soren, the wife of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has become active in politics following her husband’s arrest in a money laundering case.

Mr. Alam has emphasized that conclusions should not be drawn until the Enforcement Directorate (ED) completes its investigation. He highlighted that Sanjiv Lal, the individual associated with the recovered cash, has previously served as a secretary to two former ministers. Alam explained that Lal is a government employee and currently his personal secretary. He clarified that the appointment of personal secretaries is typically based on experience. Alam stressed the importance of waiting for the ED’s investigation to conclude before making any judgments regarding the raids.

 

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