ED seeks 7-day custody of JMM leader, 3 others, says big land racket is operating in Ranchi
Ranchi, April 17: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today told the Ranchi PMLA court that a very big racket is operating in…
Ranchi, April 17: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today told the Ranchi PMLA court that a very big racket is operating in Ranchi.
It sought the seven-day custody of JMM leader Antu Tirkey, Priya Ranjan Sahay, Bipin Singh, and Irshad Akhtar (all land brokers). It said they were part of the racket and involved in illegally acquiring non-saleable landed properties.
The central agency arrested them yesterday following raids on their premises and produced them in court today. The court sent them into judicial custody and will take a call on the ED’s remand plea tomorrow.
Why were they arrested?
Narrating why these four persons were arrested, the ED said a fake 1940 land deed was seized from the possession of Md. Saddam Hussain. “This deed was made for a property of 6.34 acres spread over several plots of Khata no. 234, out of which plot no. 989 (84 decimals) and 996 (32 decimals) fall under the said 8.86-acre property, which is in the illegal possession of former Chief Minister Hemant Soren,” it pointed out.
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Non-saleable Bhuinhari properties
“The said 8.86-acre property, as well as the 6.34-acre property, are Bhuinhari properties, non-saleable in nature, but the same are being acquired, sold, and possessed illegally and concealed by Hemant Soren, Md. Saddam Hussain, Afshar Ali, Priya Ranjan Sahay, Antu Tirkey, and,” the ED said.
Role of Antu Tirkey
The ED has stated that Antu Tirkey is involved in fraudulent land sales/purchases. “There have been huge cash dealings between Md. Saddam Hussain and Antu Tirkey about the land of Khata no. 234 and others,” it said.
“These persons are also involved in preparing fake deeds Nos. 3954 of 1974 and 2376 of 1940 concerning the property measuring 4.83 acres at Gari Mauza, Ranchi. The land measuring 4.83 acres is a portion of the 37.10 acres of Khata no. 53, Mouza Gari, Ranchi,” the agency said.
Role of Irshad Akhtar
The ED has said Irshad Akhtar brought blank sheets from the original registers in which fake deeds were prepared for the above 4.83 acres of property and were planted in records through him. He also brought original volumes from the Registrar of Assurances, Kolkata, at Hotel Peerless Inn, where the registers were tampered with by Afshar Ali and Md. Saddam Hussain. After tampering, the information was given to Priya Ranjan Sahay over WhatsApp.
The ED stated, “So, they are knowingly involved in the processes and activities connected with the proceeds of crime, which are derived from illegal activities of forgery, falsification, and tampering with government records.”
Why did ED seek custody?
The ED argued that the custody of the four persons is further required for their examination and investigation to ascertain the proceeds of crime used and generated by the said activities, to ascertain the trail of proceeds of crime involved in the present case, and to identify the other beneficiaries of these activities.
