Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In a significant setback for former Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan, a special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court on Thursday rejected his bail plea. Ranjan is one of the key accused in a high-profile land scam case involving the illegal sale and purchase of military-occupied land.
Court’s Decision After Deliberation
The court had reserved its decision on Monday after hearing arguments from all sides. On Thursday, it announced its verdict, denying bail to Ranjan. Special Public Prosecutor Shiv Kumar, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.
The Case Against Chhavi Ranjan
The ED has registered the case under FIR number 01/2023, alleging Ranjan’s involvement in the illegal transaction of military-occupied land. The investigation has so far uncovered a web of accused individuals, including businessman Amit Agarwal, Dilip Ghosh, revenue officer Bhanu Pratap Prasad, alleged landowner Pradeep Bagchi, and several land dealers such as Afsar Ali, Imtiaz Khan, Talha Khan, Faiyaz Khan, and Mohammad Saddam.
All the accused, including Ranjan, are currently in judicial custody.
ED’s Investigation and Arrests
The ED has been meticulously probing the case, unraveling layers of illegal activities tied to the fraudulent land deals. Chhavi Ranjan’s alleged role as a key facilitator in these transactions has placed him at the center of the investigation.
The denial of bail by the PMLA court underscores the seriousness of the charges against him and the ongoing effort to bring those involved to justice.
