Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In a major development linked to the ongoing Peyjal (Drinking Water) scam investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) found suspicious transaction documents at the residence of IAS officer Manish Ranjan, revealing deeper links in the high-profile corruption probe.
Documents reveal coded transactions and wife’s corporate ties
During searches, ED officials recovered four pages detailing suspicious transactions using the code name “SURAT.” Investigators also discovered that Ranjan’s wife holds dual positions—one as a director in a private firm and another as a legal manager in another company. Documents linked her to Sand Cube Infrastructure Private Limited, a company registered in Jharkhand since December 2017.
Second mention of Manish Ranjan in commission scams
This is not the first time Ranjan’s name has surfaced. Earlier, during an investigation into Rural Development Department tenders, his name was reportedly found coded as “M” in the diary of then-Minister Alamgir Alam’s personal secretary Sanjeev Lal. When questioned, Lal allegedly identified “M” as Manish Ranjan, prompting ED to issue a summons.
Cashier confirms sharing commission with Ranjan
A cashier from the Peyjal Department confirmed in his statement that Ranjan received a share of illicit commission. ED later raided his house, recovering documents tied to covert financial operations. Ranjan, however, has submitted his defence to the Adjudicating Authority, claiming innocence in the matter.
Engineer Niranjan Kumar claimed ₹5.53 lakh cash as ‘gifts’
During the same investigation, ED also searched the residence of engineer Niranjan Kumar, seizing ₹5.53 lakh in cash. Both Niranjan and his wife claimed under PMLA Section 17 that the money was collected over the years as gifts from relatives. However, they were unable to provide supporting evidence for this claim.
Income tax non-disclosure raises red flags
According to ED sources, the couple failed to declare the gifted cash in their income tax returns, as is required under Indian tax laws. The ED suspects this may have been unaccounted money linked to the broader scam. The investigation into both Niranjan and Ranjan’s roles is still ongoing.
