THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, Dec 12: Former Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan, awaiting bail, faced a major setback on Thursday. The special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court in Ranchi denied him bail in connection with the land scam case involving the illegal purchase and sale of land under Army ownership.
After concluding hearings from all parties on Monday, the court had reserved its decision on the bail plea. On Thursday, the court announced its verdict.
Special Public Prosecutor for the ED, Shiv Kumar, argued against the bail during the proceedings. The ED had registered this case under FIR number 01/2023.
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Ranjan was arrested on May 4 last year following a series of raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has accused him of playing a key role in facilitating the unauthorized sale of approximately 4.55 acres of army land in the Bariatu area.
So far in the investigation into the land scam, the ED has arrested several individuals, including businessman Amit Agarwal, Dilip Ghosh, former Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan, Baragai Circle Revenue Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad, alleged claimant Pradeep Bagchi, land dealers Afsar Ali, Imtiaz Khan, Talha Khan, Faiyaz Khan, and Mohammad Saddam. All accused are currently in judicial custody.
