In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted extensive raids across multiple locations in Ranchi, resulting in the recovery of a substantial amount of ‘unaccounted’ cash allegedly belonging to a close aide of Jharkhand rural development minister and Congress MLA Alamgir Alam.
Video footage unveiled wads of currency notes sprawled across a room in the residence of a domestic help purportedly associated with the private secretary of Minister Alamgir Alam. This operation marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to combat financial irregularities in the region.
Alam, a prominent Congress leader representing the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly, expressed his lack of official information regarding the raids, emphasizing his reliance on media reports for updates.
Sources within the ED have indicated that the cash recovered from the raids exceeds Rs 20 crore, with counting still underway using specialized note-counting machines. The final tally is expected to range between Rs 20-30 crore, highlighting the magnitude of the operation and its implications.
This isn’t the first instance of scrutiny involving officials linked to the Jharkhand Rural Development Department. In February 2023, the agency apprehended Virendra K Ram, the chief engineer of the department, over alleged irregularities in government scheme implementations, further underscoring the necessity for stringent oversight.
Amidst these developments, political reactions have surfaced, with the BJP accusing the Congress of fostering widespread corruption in the state. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo highlighted the stark contrast between the reported income of a private secretary and the recovered cash stash, raising questions about its origin.
Godda MP and BJP leader, Nishikant Dubey, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the substantial amount of cash found during the raids and attributing it to Sanjeev Lal, the personal secretary of Congress Legislative Party leader Alamgir Alam.
In tandem with the raid on Alam’s aide, the ED is conducting simultaneous operations at nine other locations, including Sail City in Ranchi, in pursuit of individuals associated with government departments. These concerted efforts signify a concerted push against corruption and financial malfeasance in Jharkhand.
The outcome of the ED’s investigation into the recovered cash, coupled with subsequent legal proceedings, is poised to shed further light on the intricate web of financial improprieties in the region. As the saga unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Jharkhand’s political landscape, underscoring the imperative for transparency and accountability in governance.