SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, May 22: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today said that the role of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is under investigation in at least four scams being probed by the agency, apart from the land scam in which he had been arrested on January 31.
The cases, which are under investigation by the ED included the MNREGA scam, illegal mining scam, misuse of funds in the rural development department, tender scam and land grabbing scam.
The ED, in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, has stated that the role of many senior bureaucrats, including Pooja Singhal (former Secretary of Ministry of Mining, State of Jharkhand involved in MGNREA Scam and coal scam), Chhavi Ranjan (Ex -DC of Ranchi – involved in land scam), Rajeev Arun Ekka (former Principal Secretary to CM also involved in transfer posting of officers and tender scam), has been probed in these scams.
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“However, no action is taken by the State of Jharkhand against them even after sharing of information. There is material to suggest that the said persons are being shielded by Hemant Soren who was the then CM of Jharkhand and to date has a great influence over the administration,” the ED has stated.
The ED filed its affidavit while replying to the petition filed by Soren challenging his arrest in the land scam.
The ED has given details of at least 11 cases which it shared with the state government. “Reminders were also addressed to know the status of the same but to date, no action is being taken by the State of Jharkhand,” it added.
Ekka danced with female associates of Vishal
The ED said that Rajiv Arun Ekka, former principal secretary to the chief minister and then home secretary was involved along with Vishal Chaudhary, a collection agent of Ekka, in the tender scam.
“The tenders of the home department were used to be given to the company of Vishal at 5-10 times the value of the goods procured and the profit of the same was used to be shared equally between Rajiv Arun Ekka and Vishal Chaudhary. Even, files of the Home Department used to be signed by Rajiv Arun Ekka in the office of Vishal Chaudhary. Also, Officers of Jharkhand State used to contact Vishal Chaudhary to get desired postings and instead of that Vishal Chaudhary used to collect money on behalf of Rajiv Arun Ekka. Most of the transfer/posting orders were used to be issued with the concurrence/ approval of the CM,” the ED has said.
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“Further, during the scrutiny of digital devices, it was found that Ekka was attending private parties of Vishal Choudhary where he could be seen dancing with female associates of Vishal Choudhary. The said fact also shows that Vishal Choudhary was a close associate of Rajiv Arun Ekka and favours were extended to him,” the ED has stated.
Substantial portion of Rs 19.76 crore seized from Singhal’s CA belonged to Hemant: ED
The ED said that during the investigation of the MNREGA scam, it was found that Pooja Singhal was one of the closest officers of Hemant Soren. “Hemant Soren was in charge of the mines ministry when then Mines Secretary Pooja Singhal allotted a mine to him. A substantial portion of the cash to the tune of Rs 19.76 crore seized from Singhal’s CA belonged to Hemant Soren,” the ED claimed.
Soren’s role in illegal mining scam
Likewise, the ED said, that the key player of the illegal mining case involving proceeds of crime of over Rs. 1000 crores, Pankaj Mishra is the MLA representative of Soren. “Amit Agrawal and Prem Prakash are his close associates. Ravi Kejriwal, former treasurer of JMM stated before ED that proceeds of illegal mining from Sahibganj used to be handed over to Amit Agrawal through Prem Prakash on instructions of Hemant Soren. The investigation further revealed that unaccounted cash to the tune of hundreds of crores has been deposited into the accounts of more than 40 companies controlled by Amit Agrawal. Two AK -47 was also recovered from Prem Prakash which belonged to the bodyguards of Hemant Soren,” the ED has stated in its affidavit.
“Besides, Soren’s name also surfaced in an illegal stone mining case in which Pankaj Mishra used to control the operations of the illegal stone mines being operated in Sahebganj. Mishra even controlled the allotment of the mining lease and Consent to operate crushers,” it added.
Rural development contract scam is worth Rs 3000 crore
The ED has said that the investigation against Veerendra Ram, Chief Engineer, of the Rural Works Department, revealed that a fixed commission from the tenders of the Rural Development Department used to be sent to senior officials including senior Ministers. The total estimated proceeds of crime are around Rs. 3000 crores, it added.
Land grabbing scam
“Further, during the investigation of the land scam, several land parcels belonging to poor tribal persons have also been illegally possessed by Hemant Soren and his family. In this case, Hemant Soren had been summoned by the ED on 10 occasions and a search was also conducted wherein cash and a luxury car were recovered,” it added.
