VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, May 17: Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Tuesday told the Jharkhand High Court that the investigation by the enforcement directorate against mining secretary Pooja Singhal and others has gone on to suggest that money laundering has been done through various shell companies.
Tushar Mehta said that the investigation by the agency as well as the statement of Ravi Kejriwal have suggested that shell companies were used to launder money and the involvement of one of the respondents is suspected in this.
The ED said that the MANREGA scam in Khunti district and other related corruption cases may be referred to the CBI as there is sufficient evidence.
He said that the petitioner has named as many as 32 shell companies that have been used for money laundering.
The ED investigation has found that out of 32 some of the shell companies have indeed been used for money laundering. He said that Ravi Kejriwal, in his statement, recorded by the ED has revealed that respondent number 7 is involved in money laundering through these shell companies. Kejriwal happened to be treasurer of the JMM and close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Ravi Kejriwal has disclosed names of some companies like Nirman Private Limited, Gayatri Private Limited, Shiv Mangal Vinyam, and Vashundhara Private Limited.
The ED also told the court that a number of Companies were used for parking money and investments were made in the hotels and restaurants. He said that Ravi Kejriwal is the childhood friend of the respondent and he knows everything.
The ED said that crores of rupees have been laundered through different shell companies.
