ED raids in Jharkhand and Bihar over Bokaro forest land scam

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Ranchi, April 22: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a major crackdown on Tuesday morning in connection with the Bokaro forest land scam. Multiple locations across Jharkhand and Bihar came under the agency’s scanner, with raids beginning around 7 a.m.

In Ranchi, searches were conducted at several locations including Lalpur, Chutia, and Kanke Road. Sources confirmed that the ED is probing 15 premises linked to individuals suspected of being involved in the illegal land deals.

Businessmen and Construction Firms Under ED Lens

In Ranchi, the ED raided the residences and offices of businessmen Vimal Agrawal and Puneet Agrawal, along with their company, Rajveer Construction. Both individuals are reportedly linked to the Baba Baidyanath Medical Trust.

This is not the first time their properties have been under scrutiny—earlier on September 26, 2023, the GST department had conducted raids at the same locations.

The ongoing ED probe focuses on tracing the money trail and examining possible irregularities in land transactions related to the Bokaro scam.

Key Govt Offices Raided in Bokaro

In Bokaro, the ED searched several government offices including the Forest Department, the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the Registration Office, and the Circle Office. The agency also raided the office of Manmohan Construction and the residence of Izhhar Hussain.

These searches are part of the agency’s broader investigation into the purchase and sale of a disputed 74.38-acre plot of land. Individuals associated with Umayush Multicom Private Limited, which bought the land, are also being investigated.

Disputed Land at the Heart of Legal Battle

The land in question is currently embroiled in a legal dispute. The Forest Department claims it is classified as protected forest land, while the buyers argue that their ancestors legally purchased the plot during a government auction in 1933 under British rule.

Due to contradictory claims made by the state government and the Forest Department in the High Court and Supreme Court, two Indian Forest Service officers have been held guilty of contempt of court.