LAGATAR 24 NETWORK
Ranchi, March 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent for forensic examination at least 100 GB data retrieved from mobile phones and other electronic gadgets of various suspects of the money laundering, including Vishal Choudhary.
The ED last year had raided premises of power broker Vishal Choudhary last year who is said to be connected with various IAS and IPS officers of Jharkhand and state officials. A number of communication devices were recovered during the raid.
Recently BJP leader Babulal Marandi had released a video clip where senior IAS officer Rajiv Arun Ekka is seen allegedly signing official documents at the residence of Vishal Choudhary. In the background, Vishal Choudhary is heard asking a lady about payment due from a person. Marandi alleged that the IAS officer was part of various scams with Vishal Choudhary and a delegation of the BJP leaders also met the Governor to take action against Ekka.
However, Chief Minister Hemant Soren transferred Ekka as his principal secretary as well as secretary of the home department to the panchayati raj department. But exposure has created trouble for Ekka who is now in the line of fire.
Well-placed sources said that the ED got few other such videos of Vishal Choudhary and some high-profile persons. Now, the ED wants to examine some purported incriminating videos retrieved from the electronic devices of Vishal Choudhary. For this purpose, the ED has sent video clips for forensic examinations.
The ED in Jharkhand is primarily investigating illegal stone mining cases, MNREGA scam and tender scam. However, the ED has not named Vishal Choudhary as an accused in any of these cases. But his role as a power broker is suspected.
In the year 2012, he set up ‘Vinayaka Fundamental Research and Education Society (VFRES) and soon became a partner of the Jharkhand Skill Development Mission and signed an MOU for skill development training and placement of 3000 youth of Jharkhand every year.
He also looks after the affairs of Frontline Promoters Private Limited which was established on 25 May 2009. Registered at Registrar of Companies, Patna, his wife Shweta Singh Chaudhary and brother Triveni Chaudhary are among the directors.
During the Covid 19 pandemic, he is said to have bagged the supply order of testing kits and others that were worth crores.
