Patna, March 10 (NationPress) The Patna Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a charge sheet to the Special Court in Patna, invoking the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering scheme associated with illegal sand mining and corruption, as revealed by ED officials on Tuesday.

The charge sheet targets individuals including Arun Yadav, also known as Arun Kumar Singh, along with Kiran Devi, Rajesh Kumar Ranjan, Dipu Kumar, and Kiran Durga Contractors Private Limited, according to official sources.

This case highlights the illicit generation and laundering of crime proceeds through illegal sand mining, corruption, and various criminal enterprises.

The ED's investigation was initiated following numerous FIRs filed by the Bihar Police and the State Special Vigilance Unit.

The accused individuals face charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for crimes including cheating, extortion, illegal sand mining, and possession of disproportionate assets.

According to the ED's findings, Arun Yadav and his family purportedly amassed assets valued at approximately Rs 39.31 crore from Assessment Year 2014-15 to 2024-25, while their declared legitimate income was around Rs 2.65 crore.

This discrepancy resulted in disproportionate assets totaling nearly Rs 36.66 crore, as stated by ED officials.

On February 27, 2024, the ED executed search operations at various locations associated with Arun Yadav and Kiran Durga Contractors Private Limited.

During these raids, officials uncovered incriminating documents, financial records, and evidence pertaining to questionable financial transactions.

Investigators traced the illicit proceeds from illegal sand mining and alleged public office misuse through various channels, which included substantial cash deposits, inflated income statements from dairy and animal husbandry operations, and fund routing via the contractor firm.

The illicit funds were reportedly utilized to acquire immovable assets such as agricultural land, residential apartments, and a commercial plot in Patna.

In the course of the investigation, the ED provisionally attached properties valued at Rs 21.38 crore, which were subsequently validated by the PMLA adjudicating authority.

Following this inquiry, the ED has filed the charge sheet against Arun Yadav and others for engaging in money laundering under Section 3, punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, 2002.

The Special PMLA Court in Patna has officially recorded the charge sheet, and further legal proceedings are set to continue.