Jharkhand Tender Scam: ED quizzes Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Ranchi, May 14: The ED is questioning Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam about his role in the multi-crore tender scam in Jharkhand.

Alam reached the ED zonal office at 11 am after he was summoned by the ED. He was still under interrogation till the report was filed.

Sanjiv Lal’s wife summoned again

The ED also summoned his Private Secretary Sanjiv Lal’s wife Rita Lal again to question her along with the minister.

Lal and his assistant Jehangir Alam are already being grilled by the agency following the recovery of Rs 35.23 crore from their premises.

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During interrogation, Sanjiv Lal has named bureaucrats and politicians on whose behalf he collected commissions from contractors and engineers.

A couple of days back, the agency had interrogated Rita Lal to ascertain how she acquired a large number of immovable properties in her name.

Sanjiv Lal, according to the ED, collected commission on behalf of ‘some influential persons’ and played a pivotal role in managing the tenders and collection of commission from engineers.

Notably, Alam, a former Speaker of the Jharkhand Assembly, has been at the helm of the rural development department since 2019.

Case linked to Veerendra Kumar Ram

Notably, the latest case of money laundering is linked to the suspended chief engineer Veerendra Kumar Ram, who was arrested on February 23 last year. 

Ram, posted in the Water resource department, was on deputation, as chief engineer to Rural Works Department and Rural Development Department (Special Division), Government of Jharkhand. 

‘Ram used to collect commissions’

 “Veerendra Kumar Ram used to collect commissions in terms of allocation of tender and execution of work and the said commission / fixed share of 1.5% was distributed among his seniors and politicians,” the ED said.