SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Dec 7: The CBI today got the custody of Kolkata-based businessman and alleged ‘power broker’ Amit Agarwal in the ‘cash for PIL’ case and took him to Delhi after a special court sent him in its remand for five days.
The central agency is investigating Agarwal’s role in getting Rajiv Kumar, a Jharkhand High Court lawyer, trapped by the Kolkata police, for scandalizing the judiciary, ED officials and other Government officials.
The CBI action, incidentally, offered the ED an alibi to oppose his bail plea in the Jharkhand High Court heard today in a money laundering case.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Kumar told the court that he wanted to bring the fresh CBI action against Agarwal on record. Admitting his plea, the court adjourned the case to December 18.
The ED feared that Agarwal may get bail in the case after another accused in the case, Dilip Ghosh, was enlarged on bail earlier.
Ranchi land scam
The ED arrested Amit Agarwal and Dilip Ghosh on June 8 last in connection with the illegal sale of 4.55 acres of Army-owned land in a posh area of the city.
The ED alleged that a fake ownership of the 4.55-acre land was created and it was sold to Jagatbandhu Tea Estate Private Limited. The central agency said Ghosh is the director of the company while Agarwal is the beneficial owner.
According to the ED, the then Ranchi deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan assisted them in acquiring the property by overlooking the records available at his office.
Cash for PIL
The Delhi branch of the CBI registered an FIR against Agarwal and unknown personnel of the Kolkata police for scandalising the court, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other government representatives in January this year.
The central agency launched this operation in response to the Jharkhand High Court’s order to undertake a preliminary investigation.
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A preliminary investigation by the CBI found that on October 10, 2021, a writ suit was filed by one Shiv Shankar Sharma through lawyer Rajiv Kumar alleging that Amit Kumar Agarwal, among others, was engaged in money laundering for high-profile politicians in Jharkhand.
The investigation further found that Amit Agarwal complained on July 31, 2022, at Hare Street Police Station against Rajiv Kumar and Shiv Shankar Sharma for allegedly demanding and defrauding a payment of Rs.10 Crore in exchange for dismissing the PIL.
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Reports mention that Agarwal taped the chats between him and Rajiv Kumar on both occasions. He persuaded Rajiv Kumar to utilise his strong ties with Judges to get the PIL dismissed, and he also promised him money and inquired about the amount of cash required.
Later, on July 31, 2022, Agarwal contacted Rajiv Kumar and gave him Rs. 50 lakhs. This was done to trap him by the Kolkata Police, the report added.
