LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, March 27: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday grilled 1994 batch Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Rajiv Arun Ekka and wanted to know from him how the official documents of his department were found in possession of money laundering suspect Vishal Choudhary.
The agency is likely to question him further as complete details have not come out.
Rajiv Arun Ekka turned up after the second summons and the ED also confronted him with some privately filmed videos in which he is seen in the company of Vishal Choudhary.
This includes a video in which he is seen viewing and signing an official file. In the background someone identified as Vishal Choudhary is heard talking about some payment.
BJP leader Babulal Marandi had circulated this video and alleged Ekka of wheeling and dealing. The Hemant Soren government withdrew him as home secretary and the principal secretary of the CM. He was transferred to the department of Panchayati Raj and an inquiry was constituted against him.
The ED during questioning also asked him about involvement of Vishal Choudhary in transfer and posting of officials. It is alleged Vishal Choudhary used his clout for transfer and posting of officials in lieu of pecuniary gains. It is alleged that Vishal Choudhary also managed tenders and contracts of the home department and the Jharkhand Police Housing Corporation.
There were some documents pertaining to some suspected cash transactions recovered from the residence of Vishal Choudhary. The agency also asked him to explain whether he has any personal or professional relationship with Vishal Choudhary.
Notably, the ED in May 2022 had raided premises of Vishal Choudhary who is alleged to be a power broker and well connected with several bureaucrats.
The ED is investigating an array of big-ticket money laundering cases in Jharkhand, including MNREGA scam, stone mining scam and tender scam. Ekka is the third serving IAS officer of Jharkhand who has been summoned by the agency. In the MNREGA scam, the ED arrested IAS Pooja Singhal whereas in stone mining scam it questioned Sahibganj DC Ramniwas Yadav.
