THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, June 20: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Junior Engineer (JE) Suresh Verma in connection with a major commission scandal in the Rural Development Department.
The ED initiated its investigation into corruption in the department based on an FIR registered in Jamshedpur against Verma, which it recorded as an ECIR.
This is the fourth chargesheet filed by the ED in the commission scam case and the 14th person named by the agency so far. Eight individuals, including the then Rural Development Minister, have already been arrested.
Evidence has emerged of a fixed 10% commission being illegally collected on tender amounts and distributed among involved parties.
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Crores Seized During Investigation
During its investigation into the bribery and money laundering case, the ED seized ₹38 crore in cash, including ₹32.20 crore from the residence of Jahangir Alam, a close aide of then-minister Alamgir Alam. The agency also confiscated jewellery worth ₹1.65 crore and eight luxury vehicles.
In connection with the laundering of commission money, the ED has issued three provisional attachment orders, leading to the seizure of assets worth ₹44 crore and the confiscation of eight high-end vehicles.
Previous Charges and Source of Cash Seizure
In 2019, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jamshedpur, had filed a chargesheet against Verma, accusing him of accepting a ₹10,000 bribe from a contractor to clear pending bills. Following his arrest while accepting the bribe, a raid at his residence led to the seizure of ₹2.67 crore in cash.
The Income Tax Department also arrived at the scene, but ACB officials did not allow them to participate in the investigation. The Income Tax Department later filed a complaint regarding the matter.
While the ACB filed a chargesheet over the ₹10,000 bribe, the source of the ₹2.67 crore found in Verma’s residence remained under investigation. The ED registered the same FIR as an ECIR and began probing broader allegations of corruption and money laundering in the Rural Development Department.
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Key Links Uncovered in Early Investigation
In the early phase of its investigation, the ED confirmed that the cash recovered from Verma’s house was linked to Chief Engineer Birendra Ram. Subsequent raids were carried out at Ram’s premises, and during his interrogation, crucial details emerged regarding the commission racket and the involvement of multiple individuals.
It was also revealed that hawala operators and chartered accountants in Delhi assisted in laundering the proceeds. Based on Birendra Ram’s disclosures, the ED conducted raids in 2024 at locations linked to the then Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam, his personal secretary Lal, and close aide Jahangir Alam. This led to the seizure of ₹32.20 crore in cash from Jahangir Alam’s residence.
Details of Accused in Rural Development Commission and Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named the following individuals in its investigation into the massive commission and money laundering scandal involving the Rural Development Department:
- Alamgir Alam, then Minister for Rural Development – Allegedly received and helped manage a large portion of the illegal proceeds.
- Sanjeev Kumar Lal, Personal Secretary to the Minister – Accused of being a key link between contractors and the minister, facilitating the commission flow.
- Jahangir Alam, close associate of the Minister and his secretary – From whose residence ₹32.20 crore in cash was seized, indicating his central role in the money trail.
- Suresh Verma, Junior Engineer, Rural Development – Initially caught accepting a bribe, Verma’s case led to the unearthing of deeper links, including the ₹2.67 crore found at his residence.
- Birendra Ram, then Chief Engineer, Rural Development – Considered a central figure in the scam, he allegedly orchestrated the collection and distribution of commission money on tenders.
- Alok Ranjan, a relative of Birendra Ram – Accused of aiding in the concealment and handling of illicit funds.
- Raj Kumari, wife of Birendra Ram – Allegedly involved in holding and managing part of the laundered assets.
- Genda Ram, father of Birendra Ram – Also named in the case for possessing and helping route funds.
- Mukesh Mittal, a Chartered Accountant based in Delhi – Allegedly provided professional assistance in laundering money.
- Tara Chand, accused of opening fake companies using forged identities to channel laundered money.
- Neeraj Mittal, Chartered Accountant – Allegedly involved in financial structuring to legitimize proceeds from bribery.
- Ram Prakash Bhatia, accused of operating through fake firms to carry out money laundering transactions.
- Hriday Nand Tiwari and Harish Yadav, both hawala operators – Suspected of facilitating the cross-border or informal transfer of illicit money.
These individuals are part of a broader investigation that has exposed systemic corruption in the tendering process of the Rural Development Department, involving bribes, fake firms, hawala networks, and laundering of public funds.
