The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a series of raids in Ranchi, Jharkhand, uncovering Rs 25 crore in unaccounted cash. These recent raids, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted approximately six locations associated with Virendra Ram, former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, and his close associates. Virendra Ram had been arrested by the ED in February 2023 in connection with a money laundering case.
Video footage from the raids revealed a substantial amount of currency notes strewn across a room allegedly belonging to the domestic aide of Sanjiv Lal, 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, is implicated in this matter.
Reacting to the revelations, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev expressed concern over ongoing corruption in the state, particularly during elections, urging the Election Commission to intervene.
The probe agency is currently conducting simultaneous raids at nine locations, including Sail City in Ranchi. Teams are actively searching for Vikas Kumar, an engineer from the Road Construction Department, in Sail City, while other areas such as Bariatu, Morhabadi, and Bodia are also under scrutiny.
