Massive ₹25 Crore Cash Seized in Raids Linked to Jharkhand Minister

In a shocking turn of events, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a series of raids across multiple locations in Ranchi, Jharkhand, unearthing an astounding ₹25 crore in unaccounted cash. The raids, carried out under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted several sites associated with Virendra Ram, the former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, and his close associates.

Virendra Ram had previously been apprehended by the ED in February 2023 in connection with a money laundering case, adding weight to the gravity of the recent discoveries.

Video footage from the raids depicts a staggering pile of currency notes strewn across a room purportedly belonging to the domestic aide of Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam. Alamgir Alam, a Congress leader representing the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly, has found himself embroiled in the controversy.

In response to the raids, Minister Alam refrained from making any direct comments, citing the ongoing investigation by the probe agency. However, he did acknowledge Lal’s role as a government employee and his own reliance on Lal’s services as a personal secretary.

While the investigation unfolds, voices of concern and condemnation have emerged from various quarters. Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev expressed alarm at the apparent rampant corruption in the state and called for action from the Election Commission, suggesting a potential misuse of the seized funds during elections.

Simultaneous raids are being carried out at nine locations, including Sail City in Ranchi, as the probe agency intensifies its efforts. With the discovery of such a colossal sum of unaccounted cash, the unfolding saga poses serious questions about accountability and transparency in the corridors of power.