Money laundering case: Former IRS officer among two sentenced to imprisonment

CHENNAI: Nearly a month after a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and his unofficial aide were convicted in a CBI case for accepting bribe from overseas recruitment agencies to clear emigration applications, the duo were convicted for money laundering in a separate case pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A court for ED cases in Chennai sentenced R Sekar, 56, an ex-protector of emigrants, and K Anwar Hussain, 55, a travel agent, to three years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on each.

The CBI booked the duo for collecting bribe amounts in the form of ‘speed money’ from various recruiting agents for clearance of emigration certificates submitted by the agents. Hussain collected money and handed it over to Sekar and other public servants.

While the CBI seized cash from Anwar Hussain's bank account, house, bank locker to the tune of Rs 2 crore, the ED registered a case against them under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The trial confirmed that the money was proceeds of the offence which the accused tried to project as untainted money.

Though no direct seizure was made from the IRS officer, the investigation confirmed that he had used Anwar Hussain to hoard the illegal gratification on his behalf and use them whenever required.