ED Arrests Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam Days After Massive Cash Seizure From Premises Linked To His Aide

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (15 May) arrested Congress leader and Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam in connection with a money laundering case, following a massive cash seizure from premises associated with his aide.

The 70-year-old minister was arrested at the agency's zonal office under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Alam was questioned for about six hours on his second day of interrogation.

On Tuesday, he was interrogated for over nine hours, during which his statement was recorded.

Alam, who represents the Pakur constituency in the Jharkhand assembly, also serves as the parliamentary affairs minister.

He came under ED radar following the recent arrest of his personal secretary, state administrative service officer Sanjeev Kumar Lal (52), and Lal's domestic help Jahangir Alam (42).

The agency conducted raids on 6 May and seized more than Rs 32 crore in cash from a flat connected to them.

The minister had earlier told reporters that he was a "law-abiding" citizen and distanced himself from Lal's activities, noting that Lal had also worked with other state government ministers.

The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities and bribes within the state rural development department.

While seeking the remand of the two arrested persons, the ED had informed a special PMLA court here that Lal collected "commission" on behalf of some influential people and that government officials from "top to bottom" in the rural department are involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus.

The ED, while seeking the remand of Lal and Jahangir Alam, informed a special PMLA court that Lal collected commissions on behalf of influential people and that government officials at all levels in the rural department were involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus.

In total, the ED has seized about Rs 36.75 crore in this case, including about Rs 3 crore from other locations, Rs 10.05 lakh from Lal's residence, and Rs 1.5 crore from a contractor's premises.

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