NEW DELHI: The
Enforcement Directorate has attached journalist
Rajeev Sharma's properties in Delhi worth over Rs 48 lakh in a case related to spying for China and money laundering. It alleged that the amount was "proceeds of crime" received from Chinese intelligence agencies.
Sharma was earlier booked by Delhi Police under the Officials Secrets Act.
He has been charged by both Delhi Police and the ED. The ED claimed its own investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has revealed that the journalist had been actively working for Chinese spying agencies.
"Investigation under PMLA revealed that Sharma had supplied confidential and sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers in exchange for remuneration thereby compromising the security and national interests of the country," the ED claimed. The accused received his remuneration through a Delhi-based shell company that was run by Chinese nationals - Zhang Cheng alias Suraj,
Zhang Lixia
alias Usha and Qing Shi - along with a Nepali national
Sher Singh
alias Raj Bohara.
"This Chinese company was acting as a conduit for Chinese intelligence agencies to provide remuneration to persons like Sharma indulging in criminal activities. The remuneration was being paid in cash through carriers as well as through cash deposits," the ED said. It is alleged that Sharma used his friend's bank account to receive money in order to conceal his involvement. "Sharma also received remuneration in kind in the form of various paid foreign trips," the ED said.
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