ED Seizes Land Valued Over Rs 70 Crore in Dehradun Money Laundering Case
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally seized 101 Bighas of land worth over Rs 70 crore in Dehradun, linked to a money laundering case involving Birendra Singh Kandari and others. This action follows a Supreme Court ruling and allegations of fraudulent property transactions.
Key Takeaways
- ED has attached land exceeding Rs 70 crore.
- The property spans 101 Bighas in Dehradun.
- Case involves Birendra Singh Kandari and others.
- Investigation initiated from an FIR in Sahaspur.
- Ongoing inquiries into money laundering activities.
Dehradun, Jan 23 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally seized a piece of immovable property comprising 101 Bighas of land in Uttarakhand's Dehradun district, which has a registered value of Rs 6.56 crore but is currently valued at over Rs 70 crore. This action is part of an investigation related to Birendra Singh Kandari and others, as stipulated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, according to an official statement.
The central investigative agency initiated this probe on Wednesday following an FIR registered at Sahaspur in Dehradun under multiple sections of the IPC, 1860.
During the inquiry, it was found that despite a Supreme Court ruling, the late Sushila Rani conspired with other individuals to register two Powers of Attorney (POA) in favor of Birendra Singh Kandari and Narender Kumar Walia for lands located in Sahaspur, Dehradun.
These properties were subsequently sold by Birendra Singh Kandari, who is closely associated with Harak Singh Rawat, to Deepti Rawat and Laxmi Rana at a nominal price that was significantly below the designated circle rates set by local revenue authorities, an ED official reported.
The land acquired by Deepti Rawat is currently part of the Doon Institute of Medical Science, operated under the Poorna Devi Memorial Trust, where she serves as chairperson.
This trust is managed by the family and associates of Harak Singh Rawat, according to the statement from the ED.
The investigation revealed that Deepti Rawat, spouse of Harak Singh Rawat, and Laxmi Rana successfully registered the mentioned land of approximately 101 Bigha in their names through a conspiracy orchestrated by Birendra Singh Kandari, Harak Singh Rawat, the late Sushila Rani, and others.
Following the identification of the proceeds of crime, a provisional attachment order was issued against the 101 Bigha land, valued at Rs 6.56 crore (with a current market valuation exceeding Rs 70 crore), which encompasses two parcels of land located in Dehradun district.
Ongoing investigations into this case are still in progress.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) serves as a legal framework aimed at combating money laundering, providing for the confiscation of assets obtained through or associated with money laundering activities, along with related matters.
The ED has been entrusted with the role of enforcing the PMLA provisions, which includes tracking assets derived from illicit activities, provisionally attaching properties, and ensuring that offenders are prosecuted and properties confiscated by a Special court.
