Has the ED Filed a Complaint Against Rajkot Town Planning Officer in a Rs 21.61 Crore Money Laundering Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant move, the ED has initiated legal proceedings against Rajkot's Town Planning Officer, Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Sagathiya, accused of laundering over Rs 21.61 crore. This case highlights the ongoing battle against corruption and economic offenses in India, raising questions about accountability in public service.
Key Takeaways
- Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Sagathiya faces serious allegations of money laundering.
- The ED has confiscated assets valued at Rs 21.61 crore.
- Investigation reveals a network of illicit asset acquisition.
- The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in public service.
- The ED operates under the Ministry of Finance to enforce crucial economic laws.
Ahmedabad, Nov 27 (NationPress) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ahmedabad Zonal Office, has submitted a prosecution complaint to the Special PMLA Court in Mirzapur on November 24, targeting Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Sagathiya alongside two other individuals under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Sagathiya, a public servant working as a Town Planning Officer with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, faces allegations of accumulating disproportionate assets and laundering illicit funds over a span of more than a decade.
The ED's actions are a result of an FIR lodged by the ACB, Rajkot, which claimed that Sagathiya accrued disproportionate assets valued at Rs 24.31 crore from April 1, 2012, to May 31, 2024.
Investigations revealed that Sagathiya channeled significant proceeds of crime into various movable and immovable assets, using multiple bank accounts registered under his name, as well as those of his wife, Bhavnaben, and son, Keyur.
Authorities discovered several recurring deposit (RD) accounts opened at the Rajkot Head Post Office between February 2015 and June 2022 in the names of Sagathiya's family members.
The RD accounts received consistent cash deposits, and the funds from these accounts were later utilized to acquire immovable properties, according to the ED.
Assets valued at Rs 21.61 crore—including cash, gold, diamonds, silver jewelry, foreign currency, high-end watches, and several properties—have already been seized under Section 5 of PMLA as of April 29, 2025.
The ED indicated that these assets are directly tied to the proceeds of crime and are part of a systematic laundering scheme employed by Sagathiya.
Additional investigations into the money trail, fund layering, and identification of other beneficiaries are currently ongoing.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) operates as India’s central agency for investigating and enforcing laws concerning economic crimes, particularly those involving money laundering and foreign exchange violations.
Under the Ministry of Finance, the ED primarily enforces two significant statutes: the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), aimed at countering the laundering of crime proceeds, and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which oversees cross-border financial transactions.
The agency tracks illicit money trails, attaches properties acquired through criminal proceeds, files prosecution complaints in special courts, and collaborates with national and international organizations to combat financial fraud, hawala networks, and economic offenses that undermine India’s financial integrity.
Point of View
It's crucial to emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. The allegations against Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Sagathiya underscore a significant challenge in combating corruption. The ED's proactive approach affirms our national commitment to uphold integrity within public service, ensuring that those who misuse their positions face justice.
NationPress
27/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the ED in this case?
The ED is responsible for investigating and enforcing laws related to economic crimes, specifically focusing on money laundering and foreign exchange violations.
What are the allegations against Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Sagathiya?
Sagathiya is accused of accumulating disproportionate assets and laundering illicit funds over a period exceeding ten years.
What assets have been attached by the ED?
The ED has attached assets worth Rs 21.61 crore, including cash, gold, diamonds, silver jewelry, foreign currency, high-end watches, and various properties.
What laws does the ED enforce?
The ED primarily enforces the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
How does the ED investigate money laundering?
The ED traces illegal money trails, identifies properties acquired through crime proceeds, and collaborates with national and international bodies to tackle financial fraud.
