ED summons IAS officer Ranjan in money laundering case

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Jharkhand-cadre IAS officer Manish Ranjan for questioning on May 28 in the rural development department’s tender scam and money laundering case in which it recently arrested state minister Alamgir Alam, official sources said on Saturday.

Ranjan has earlier served as a secretary in the rural development department and is currently the secretary of land, road and building department.

The summons is linked to the ED investigation in which Congress leader and state rural development minister Alamgir Alam, his former personal secretary Sanjeev Kumar Lal and the latter's domestic help Jahangir Alam were arrested early this month.

The agency had claimed to have recovered more than Rs 32 crore from a place where Jahangir Alam was residing. The probe pertains to alleged irregularities and bribes exchanged between officials and others from contractors working in the state rural development department.

On Wednesday, the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, court remanded minister Alam to the ED for five more days. The ED produced Alam before the court at the end of the six-day remand period and prayed for an extension by eight days.

The ED pleaded that Alam possessed materials and information related to money laundering, which needs to be probed. It stated that documentary evidences and digital devices illustrated the involvement of Alam and other persons and the facts need to be confronted with the accused persons. The sleuths also claimed that Alam was not cooperating with the probe and withholding information.

Alam’s advocate Anil Kanth opposed the extension of remand on health grounds, saying that his client was suffering from various ailments, including hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea. Alam had complied with the ED summons when he was arrested, he added.ED had arrested Alam after interrogation on May 15.

(With inputs from agencies)
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.