Did the ED File Charges Against Eight More Individuals in the Jharkhand Tender Scam?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Eight new individuals charged in the Jharkhand tender scam.
- Total accused now stands at 22.
- Large-scale cash seizures during ED raids.
- Allegations of a commission racket in tender allotments.
- Former minister Alamgir Alam linked to the investigation.
Ranchi, Oct 24 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified eight additional individuals as accused in its fourth supplementary prosecution complaint (PC) presented to the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi, regarding the Jharkhand tender scam case, which is purportedly connected to former state minister Alamgir Alam, as reported by officials on Friday.
The Ranchi Zonal Unit of the ED submitted the new supplementary complaint on Wednesday, as part of its ongoing investigation into money laundering concerning a significant corruption network operating within the Rural Works Department of the Jharkhand government.
According to the ED's statement, “This supplementary complaint includes eight newly accused individuals—comprising contractors, aides, and relatives of officials—who played a crucial role in the creation, management, and laundering of illicit funds.”
With these additions, the total count of accused in this case has now escalated to 22, as confirmed by the agency.
The ED apprehended Alamgir Alam on May 15 of the previous year in relation to the alleged commission racket associated with the tender processes of the department.
Previously, on May 6, the agency conducted extensive raids at the locations of Alam’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Sanjeev Lal, his domestic aide Jahangir Alam, and various contractors.
These searches resulted in the confiscation of over Rs 35 crore in cash, with Rs 30 crore seized from Jahangir Alam’s residence, Rs 2.93 crore from contractor Munna Singh, and Rs 2.14 crore from contractor Rajiv Singh.
Investigations have revealed a widespread commission racket in tender allocations, with a significant portion of the kickbacks allegedly redirected to Alamgir Alam.
A senior member of the Congress party, Alam previously held the position of cabinet minister during the administrations of Hemant Soren and Champai Soren, and was also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Jharkhand Assembly. He resigned from both roles following his arrest.