RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, April 19: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 39.28 crore belonging to Veerendra Kumar Ram and his family members. The properties include farmhouse, flats, Duplex bungalow, land at Delhi, Jamshedpur and Ranchi, and three bank accounts having a collective balance of around Rs 36 lakhs.
The ED had initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the ACB Jamshedpur. Investigation revealed that Ram posted as chief engineer in the rural works department in Ranchi had generated proceeds of crime in the name of commission from contractors in lieu of allotment of tenders to them. The proceeds of crime thus generated were used by Ram and his family members to live a very lavish lifestyle.
Earlier, a search was conducted at 30 premises related to Veerendra Kumar Ram in different cities of India and as a result, various pieces of incriminating evidence were found and seized. Further, during the course of search action, cash of Rs 40 lakh (approx), 7 high-end luxurious vehicles and jewellery worth Rs 1.51 Crore were found and seized which were later found to be the part of proceeds of crime acquired by him.
Subsequently, Ram was arrested by the ED on 23.02.2023 after being found guilty of an offence of Money laundering and is presently in Hotwar Jail, Ranchi. In this case, Alok Ranjan, cousin of Ram was also arrested on 11.04.2023 as he was found to be assisting Ram in laundering the proceeds of crime in the present case. Both Ram and Alok Ranjan are in judicial custody.
Further investigation is in progress.
