What Actions Did the Lucknow Court Take Regarding the ED Charge Sheet in the Property Fraud Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Lucknow Special Court recognizes ED's charge sheet.
- Yogesh Kumar Tiwari accused of property fraud.
- Investigation initiated by Uttar Pradesh Police.
- Proceeds of Crime identified at Rs 1.41 crore.
- ED attached properties worth Rs 78 Lakh.
Lucknow, Jan 22 (NationPress) A Special Court (PMLA) in Lucknow has acknowledged a charge sheet presented by the ED against a property consultant, accused of deceiving property owners with false promises of asset redevelopment, as confirmed by an official on Thursday.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Allahabad Sub-Zonal Office, filed this charge sheet on September 29, 2025, before the Special Court (CBI), West, Lucknow, according to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, naming Yogesh Kumar Tiwari as the accused.
The Special Court recognized the charge sheet on Wednesday, as stated in an official announcement.
The ED's investigation began following an FIR lodged by the Uttar Pradesh Police at Police Station Jhunsi, Prayagraj, under various sections of IPC, 1860, for crimes including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and criminal intimidation.
The inquiry revealed a calculated scheme where the accused fraudulently persuaded the complainant to transfer multiple immovable properties under false pretenses of initiating development projects and offering future financial returns, as reported by the ED.
Investigations indicated that the accused, Yogesh Tiwari, misrepresented himself as a well-connected entrepreneur and property dealer, managing to deceive the complainant and illegally acquire five immovable properties without making the required payments.
Three of these properties were later sold to third parties, with the proceeds misappropriated for personal use. The ED identified Proceeds of Crime totaling Rs 1.41 crore in this case.
During the investigation, the ED provisionally attached immovable assets valued at Rs 78 Lakh via a Provisional Attachment Order dated November 8, 2024, under the PMLA, 2002, which was later confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority.
In its Prosecution Complaint, the ED demonstrated that the accused intentionally generated, acquired, possessed, concealed, and utilized the Proceeds of Crime, attempting to disguise them as legitimate property. Consequently, the offence of money laundering under Section 3, punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, 2002, was established against the accused.