New Delhi/Itanagar, March 28 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Arunachal Pradesh has provisionally seized assets valued at around Rs 2.37 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, related to the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) land acquisition compensation scandal, as stated by the central investigative agency on Saturday.

The Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) is an extensive 2,407-km-long, two-lane highway project that spans 16 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, serving primarily as National Highway-13 (NH-13).

According to an official statement from the ED, its Itanagar Sub-Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth around Rs 2.37 crore in connection with the alleged scam.

This attachment was executed via a Provisional Attachment Order dated March 23, issued under Section 5(1) of the PMLA.

The assets attached comprise land measuring 47,350 square metres in Dolo village, Nyapin, Kurung Kumey district, registered under Tadar Babin's name, and a traditional house in Jath village, Yachuli, Keyi Panyor district, registered under Likha Maj's name.

These properties are believed to be proceeds of crime stemming from the alleged misappropriation of government compensation funds.

The ED's investigation focuses on significant irregularities in the assessment and distribution of land acquisition compensation related to the Trans-Arunachal Highway project, particularly concerning the Potin–Bopi segment.

A report by a Fact-Finding Committee (FFC) indicated that excess payments totaling approximately Rs 44.98 crore were made beyond the permissible compensation, which led to a considerable loss for the government.

The inquiry has unveiled the alleged participation of numerous public officials and private individuals in a well-coordinated scheme.

Among those implicated is Kemo Lollen, the former Deputy Commissioner of Ziro, who, as a joint signatory to the compensation account, is accused of playing a pivotal role in authorizing and facilitating fraudulent payments.

Other implicated individuals include Bharat Lingu, the former District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer (DLRSO) in Ziro, who is said to have processed and sanctioned altered compensation claims, and Toko Taje, a Junior Engineer and member of the Structural Assessment Team, accused of enabling inflated and fictitious structural evaluations.

Toko Tath is also alleged to have contributed to the fraudulent inclusion of beneficiaries, while Kabak Bhatt, another Junior Engineer, reportedly assisted in the diversion and layering of funds through intermediary entities.

Additionally, Likha Maj and Tadar Babin, listed as beneficiaries, are alleged to have received significant compensation without legitimate entitlement.

The ED has asserted that they knowingly engaged in routing, withdrawing, and utilizing such funds, thereby aiding in the concealment and presentation of proceeds of crime as untainted property.

Previously, on February 6, 2026, the ED conducted raids at several locations across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, resulting in the confiscation of Rs 2.40 crore in cash from Likha Maj and Rs 22 lakh from Tadar Babin, along with the freezing of bank balances totaling approximately Rs 1.19 crore. Investigators also uncovered incriminating documents and digital evidence.

Prior to this, the ED identified and froze funds approximating Rs 3.95 crore in bank accounts and deposits linked to the accused.

With the latest property attachment, the total value of proceeds of crime secured in this case through attachment, seizure, and freezing has now reached nearly Rs 10.13 crore.

Earlier, on March 12, 2024, the ED filed a Prosecution Complaint before the Special Court (PMLA) in Yupia against Kabak Bhatt.

The court acknowledged the complaint on March 14, 2024. Further investigations have revealed additional proceeds of crime and the involvement of more suspects, leading to the current attachment intended to secure equivalent value for potential confiscation under the PMLA. Ongoing investigations into the scam are in progress.