Ranchi, Sept.1: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has taken possession of a property worth Rs. 6,25,000 of M/s Ekka Construction Pvt. Ltd., situated at Koilari, Ormanjhi, Ranchi in the case of Anosh Ekka and others, the erstwhile Minister of Jharkhand.
The ED got sentence of conviction of Anosh Ekka under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 by the Special Judge (PMLA), Ranchi.
Convict Anosh Ekka was sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (R.I) for 7 years for the offence U/s 4 of PML Act and to pay a fine of Rs 2 (two) crores. In default of fine, he will undergo R.I for 1 additional year. The period already undergone during trial shall be set off.
Anosh Ekka, was a former Minister of Rural Development, NREP, Transport, Panchayat Raj and Building Construction in the cabinet of the former Chief Minister Madhu Koda from 12.03.2005 to 19.12.2008.
The Special PMLA Court, Ranchi pronounced its judgment under PMLA, 2002 on 21.03.2020 and convicted Anosh Ekka for being guilty of offences of Money Laundering to the tune of Rs. 22,38,40,247.92 (Rupees Twenty Two Crore Thirty Eight Lac Forty Thousand Two Hundred Forty Seven & Ninety two Paise) as defined under section 3 of PMLA and punishable under section 4 of PMLA.
The quantum of punishment was today pronounced by the Judge and these properties were ordered to be duly confiscated to ED as defined under sub section (5) of section 8 of PMLA and
Initially, the Vigilance Bureau, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi registered an FIR No. 26/2008 u/s 154 of Cr. P.C. against Anosh Ekka and others under sections 406, 409, 420, 423, 424, 465, 120B of IPC, 1860 and Sections 11 & 13(2) read with section 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on 26.11.2008 for misusing his official position being a public servant and acquiring huge movable & immovable properties.
The Vigilance Bureau, Ranchi filed a charge sheet dated 05.10.2009 under section 173 of Cr. P.C., 1973 in the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Ranchi against Anosh Ekka for commission of offence punishable under sections 406, 409, 420, 423, 424, 465 and 120B of IPC and section 11/13(2) and 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Subsequently, on the direction of the High Court of Jharkhand, Ranchi Vigilance Case No. 26/2008 was taken up by CBI for further investigation which filed a charge-sheet on 16.01.2012 for the commission of offence punishable under section 109 of IPC, Section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(e) of the PC Act, 1988 before the Special Judge, CBI, Ranchi against Anosh Ekka & Others for disproportionate assets valued at Rs. 16,82,10,715/-.
On the basis of the aforesaid FIR of Vigilance Bureau, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi, ED initiated investigation under the provisions of PMLA against accused Anosh Ekka & Others.
During the course of investigations under PMLA, immovable assets and movable assets amounting to Rs. 22,38,40,247.92 (Rupees Twenty Two Crore Thirty Eight Lac Forty Thousand Two Hundred Forty Seven & Ninety two Paise) involved in money laundering were identified and were attached under PMLA.
Initially, the Prosecution Complaint was filed against Hari Narayan Rai and Anosh Ekka jointly filed before the Special Court, Ranchi on 11.12.2009. Subsequently after further investigations, Supplementary Prosecution Complaints were filed against accused Anosh Ekka for offences of money laundering. Accused Hari Narayan Rai has already been convicted under PMLA on 30.01.2017.
