Jharkhand illegal mining: ED seizes Rs 11.88 crore from Soren aide, others | India News,The Indian Express
In May, ED had conducted searches at 36 locations connected with alleged irregularities in the MNREGA scheme.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday said it has seized Rs 11.88 crore in cash from 37 bank accounts belonging to Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and Mishra’s associates in connection with a case of money laundering linked to alleged illegal mining.
According to the agency, the cash came from illegal mining in multiple places, including Sahebganj, Soren’s constituency.
Cash was also seized from the bank accounts of Dahoo Yadav, an associate of Mishra.
The ED had earlier conducted searches at 19 locations in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj, Barhet, Rajmahal, Mirza Chauki and Barharwa areas, seizing documents and Rs 5.34 crore of “unaccounted cash” on July 7.
“During this search operation, the ED also seized five stone crushers that were being illegally operated from the site, and also five illegal firearm cartridges. The evidence collected during the course of the 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 the Sahibganj area, including the forest area,” the agency said in a statement.
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