How a Rs 10,000 bribe last year helped ED recover a pile of cash worth Rs 35 crore in Jharkhand

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary of Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam, along with Lal's domestic aide followed the discovery of nearly Rs 35 crore in cash in a flat associated with them. The two individuals were detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) subsequent to an overnight interrogation during which they exhibited reluctance to cooperate, being described as "evasive" by the ED officials.

As per reports, the huge discovery of cash was unearthed after the arrest of Virendra Ram, chief engineer in Jharkhand Rural Development Department, last year.

The arrest of Virendra Ram by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last February has unraveled a web of corruption within the bureaucratic corridors. Ram was arrested for accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe, which led to significant disclosures shedding light on systemic malpractice.

Ram, seemingly occupying a modest position within the bureaucratic hierarchy, emerged as a key figure exposing how corrupt government officials orchestrate intricate schemes to launder illicit gains, all while avoiding the scrutiny of law enforcement agencies.

Interrogations with Ram revealed a labyrinth of corruption, implicating not only himself but also a network of complicit officials. He divulged a modus operandi wherein bribe money flowed through various channels, particularly during the tendering process, highlighting a deep-rooted malaise within the department.

Following these revelations, the ED launched a thorough investigation, cross-referencing Ram's claims with intelligence gathered from diverse sources. Subsequent inquiries unveiled the pervasive nature of corruption within the Rural Development Department of Jharkhand, prompting the ED to issue a confidential letter to the state government on May 9 last year, urging swift action.

However, the response from state authorities was lukewarm, raising allegations of collusion as the confidential correspondence purportedly found its way into the hands of individuals under scrutiny.

Armed with compelling evidence and corroborative intelligence, the ED conducted raids on May 6, 2024, targeting key suspects, including Sanjiv Lal, the Personal Secretary to Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. Lal, purportedly a linchpin in the corruption nexus, was alleged to be complicit in awarding contracts, accumulating significant wealth in the process.

The raids unearthed a staggering trove of evidence, indicative of the widespread corruption plaguing the department. At the residence of Lal's associate, Jahangir, authorities discovered a cache of "unaccounted cash" estimated to be over Rs 34 crore, with counting operations still ongoing at the time of reporting.

Furthermore, Rs 3 crore was seized from another individual's premises, underscoring the scale of illicit wealth amassed through graft and malfeasance.