VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Oct 29: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday informed the special PMLA court in Ranchi that it would submit a detailed report on how Pankaj Mishra unduly interfered in the ongoing investigation by the agency against him.
Pankaj Mishra is the MLA representative of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The ED arrested him on July 19 in connection with the illegal stone mining scam worth Rs 1000 Crore.
As the special PMLA court of Prabhat Kumar Sharma is set to hear his bail petition on November 9, the ED stated that it would file a detailed report. Pankaj Mishra is currently lodged at the paying ward of RIMS for his treatment under judicial custody.
A week back the ED nabbed his two associates Chandan Yadav and Suraj Pandit for allegedly providing him with their mobile phones to Pankaj Mishra and he used to talk to different people.
The investigation has revealed that Pankaj Mishra used to give directions to officials of Sahibganj over the phone and he also used to speak to some high-profile persons. It is alleged that he made phone calls to various persons to concoct evidence to save him from the charges of money laundering.
PMLA court rejects bail application of Prem Prakash
Meanwhile, the court is stated to have rejected the bail petition of Prem Prakash. The ED arrested him in the illegal stone mining case. The court on Saturday had reserved its order after hearing arguments on his bail petition.
Court takes cognizance against Amit Agrawal and Jharkhand High Court advocate Rajiv Kumar
In another development, the special PMLA court also took cognizance of the prosecution complaint against Kolkata-based businessman Amit Agrawal and Jharkhand High Court advocate Rajiv Kumar in the cash for PIL case.
Amit Agrawal had lodged a complaint against Rajiv Kumar before Kolkata police for demanding huge amounts to give him relief in a shell company-related PIL. Rajiv Kumar was arrested in Kolkata on July 1st along with Rs 50 Lakh. Police claimed that was the bribe amount which Rajiv Kumar had taken from Amit Agrawal.
Later on, the ED also took this case and found that Amit Agrawal had planned the conspiracy to trap Rajiv Kumar along with cash to scuttle the PIL. He was arrested later on.
