Team News Riveting
Ranchi, July 15
The Enforcement Directorate has seized Rs 11.88 crore cash generated from illegal mining in Jharkhand.
The seizure came following crackdown on Pankaj Mishra, Dahu Yadav and their associates allegedly involved in the mining scandal in the mineral-rich state. The cash was recovered from the 37 bank accounts of the suspects.
“ED has seized cash amounting to Rs 11.88 crore generated from illegal mining in Jharkhand lying in various bank accounts. With the present seizure, total cash and bank balance of Rs 36.58 crore illegally generated from mining etc in Jharkhand has been seized,” the ED said in a tweet.
Earlier, the ED had conducted searches at 19 locations in Sahibganj, Barhet, Rajmahal, Mirza Chauki and Barharwa. It seized many incriminating documents besides unaccounted cash of Rs 5.34 crore on July 8, 2022. The ED had lodged case under the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA).
The economic intelligence wing has also seized five stone crushers that were illegally operated from the site besides five illegal firearm cartridges. The evidence collected during the course of investigation including statements of various persons, digital evidence and documents revealed that the seized cash/bank balance is derived from illegal mining being rampantly done in Sahibganj area including the forest area.
Pankaj Mishra is a close associate of the Chief Minister, Hemant Soren while Yadav is a transporter. The former has been bucking the notices served by the ED for appearance to record his statement on the scam.
