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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made its initial legal move in the high-profile Jharkhand land fraud case, presenting its preliminary charge sheet in a special court. The charges revolve around a prominent money-laundering operation, with ten people arrested thus far, including Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Chhavi Ranjan.
The ED revealed that it has temporarily seized two plots of land, collectively valued at an estimated Rs 74.39 crore, under the umbrella of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). One 4.55-acre parcel in Ranchi's Bariatu area holds a commercial value of Rs 41.51 crore, while a second, a 7.16-acre lot located in the city's Bajra district, is assessed at Rs 32.87 crore.
The ED alleges these lands were illicitly transferred to the custody of real estate racketeers through corruption within the land revenue department. It further noted, "The first land parcel was earlier in the name of the Army."
Alongside IAS officer Ranjan, Bhanu Pratap Prasad, an ex-employee of the land revenue department, is among the arrested. All suspects remain in judicial custody. Ranjan, a 2011 IAS batch officer, previously held positions as director of the state social welfare department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
The investigation was launched following a complaint from the Ranchi Municipal Corporation, implicating one Pradip Bagchi in the fraudulent scheme. The ED outlines that the deception involves fraudulent alteration of legacy records in Kolkata and Ranchi, and illegal selling of these land parcels.
In the process of its extensive investigation, the ED conducted 41 searches, five surveys, and seized falsified seals of the land revenue department, land deeds, and photographic evidence of the forgery. The ED claims it has shared this damning evidence with the Jharkhand government.
Moreover, the ED managed to secure orders from a special PMLA court to submit the original records of the registrar of assurance, Kolkata, and the land revenue department of Ranch to a forensic science lab in Gujarat's Gandhinagar. The forensic examination corroborated the evidence of record forgery, prompting the registrar of assurance, Kolkata, to file an FIR, which has now been consolidated with the money-laundering case for an encompassing investigation.
In conclusion, As the ED continues its resolute pursuit of justice, this case is a grim reminder of the far-reaching implications of corruption and money laundering. While this chargesheet signifies a promising start, it remains to be seen how this high-profile case will unfold. The ongoing investigations promise to shed more light on the intricate web of deception, and hopefully, set a strong deterrent for future malfeasances.
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