The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on May 5, 2024, in connection with a money laundering case against Virendra Ram, former chief engineer of the state’s rural development department. While details are still emerging, reports suggest the raids yielded a significant cash recovery.
The searches reportedly focused on locations across Ranchi, with a large sum of cash, estimated to be between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore, being seized from the residence of a domestic helper allegedly linked to the personal secretary of Jharkhand rural development minister and Congress MLA Alamgir Alim.
Virendra Ram was arrested by the ED in February 2023 following multiple raids conducted in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and other locations across Jharkhand. The investigation centres on allegations of corruption during Ram’s tenure as chief engineer.
The recent raids come amidst ongoing scrutiny of alleged financial irregularities within the Jharkhand government. Opposition parties in Jharkhand have seized the news, calling for a wider investigation into potential corruption within the state administration.
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“Corruption is not ending in Jharkhand. This money during elections indicates that there is a plan to spend this money in the elections. The Election Commission should take action on this,” BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev commented on the whole incident.
The ED has not yet released an official statement regarding the details of the recovered cash or the specific charges against the domestic helper. It is expected that further information will be made available in the coming days. They have also launched coordinated raids at nine other locations across the city, including Sail City. They aim to track down Vikas Kumar, an engineer in the Road Construction Department, and gather evidence in other areas of interest. Their area of search includes neighbourhoods like, Bariatu, Morhabadi, and Bodia as well.
