ED files charge sheet in money laundering case linked to sand, liquor & land deals in Jharkhand

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet in a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), linked to the alleged illegal sale of sand, liquor and land in Jharkhand. It was alleged that through these illegal deals, proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 14 crore were generated between the year 2021 to 2022.

According to the enforcement agency the prosecution complaint was filed on December 16, under the criminal sections of the anti-money laundering law before a special court in Jharkhand’s capital city Ranchi.

Proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 14.79 crore were generated, says ED

The charge sheet stated that the money laundering case stems from as many as 19 cases registered by the Jharkhand Police against the main accused Jogendra Tiwari and others in connection with the illegal sale of sand and liquor. In addition to it, cases of the fraudulent sale and purchase of land and other criminal activities were also registered.

In the charge sheet, apart from the main accused Jogendra Tiwari, a dozen entities including companies like Saran Alcohol Private Limited, Santhal Pargana Private Limited, Maihar Hotels and Resorts Private Limited and Rajmahal Traders among others were named.

As per the ED, Jogendra Tiwari was engaged in criminal activities related to the trade of sand and liquor which were in the name of his close associates. Through these activities, proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 14.79 crore were generated. Not only this, a substantial portion of the money was also allegedly invested in several entities controlled by Tiwari. This was done to monopolise his liquor business across Jharkhand.

Notably, Jogendra Tiwari is currently lodged in prison after he was arrested by the agency in the month of October. The enforcement agency had raided 32 premises in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in connection with the case before arresting Tiwari.