Enforcement Directorate Confiscates Properties of Madhya Pradesh Forest Ranger
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has confiscated two properties of a Madhya Pradesh Forest Ranger, Harishankar Gurjar, in a money laundering case. The properties, worth crores, were seized following a trial that led to the couple's conviction and subsequent sentencing.
Key Takeaways
- ED seizes properties linked to money laundering.
- Properties valued in crores belong to a Forest Ranger.
- Investigation initiated after FIR by Lokayukta Police.
- Conviction led to rigorous imprisonment for the accused.
- Related ongoing investigations in multiple states.
New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bhopal has seized two properties valued in crores belonging to a Ranger from the Forest Department in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, in connection with a money laundering investigation, an official reported on Friday.
The seized assets, owned by Harishankar Gurjar, consist of two standalone houses located in Minal Residency, Bhopal.
The ED launched an inquiry into money laundering following an FIR filed by the Lokayukta Police in Bhopal in accordance with the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC, 1860 against Harishankar and his spouse Seema, based on allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known earnings, as stated in a report.
Throughout the investigation, the ED uncovered that the gains from illicit activities were utilized to acquire various immovable properties.
These assets were provisionally attached under the PMLA, 2002 and were later validated by the Adjudicating Authority of PMLA.
Following this, the Special Court of PMLA in Bhopal convicted Harishankar Gurjar and Seema Gurjar after a trial under PMLA, issuing a verdict on April 29, 2023, sentencing them to three years of rigorous imprisonment, and ordering the confiscation of the attached properties.
The confiscation order received affirmation from the Madhya Pradesh High Court and subsequently from the Supreme Court on January 15, 2025, which included the recently seized properties.
As a result, the ED has taken physical possession of the aforementioned properties, according to the official.
In a different matter, the ED, under the Chandigarh zone, executed search operations on Thursday across multiple sites in Delhi, Rohtak in Haryana, Noida, and Shamli in Uttar Pradesh. This was part of an ongoing investigation into QFX Trade Ltd and others, who are operating a multi-level marketing scheme disguised as forex trading.
The individuals involved include Directors Rajender Sood, Vineet Kumar, and Santosh Kumar, along with one of the masterminds, Nawab Ali.
The ED initiated this probe based on several FIRs filed by the Himachal Pradesh Police against QFX Company, which had allegedly deceived numerous investors through a fraudulent forex trading operation.
