New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said that it has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth totaling to Rs 5.45 crores of a former Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department Ramanand Divya of Chhattisgarh and his family members under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in a disproportionate assets case.

The attached assets are in the form of agriculture land and plots in Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba and Janjgir-champa districts and bank balances to the tune of Rs 55.95 lakhs held by the accused Ramanand Divya and his family members.

The Central financial probe agency initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Chhattisgarh Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB), under section 13(2) and 13(1) (e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 which discloses the disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 5.45 crores amassed by Ramanand Divya and his family members.

Investigation so far, revealed that most of the immovable properties were purchased in the name of Priyadarshini Divya wife of the accused, a few being in the name of accused Ramanand Divya himself and these were acquired through various ways of money laundering.

“In few cases, property was purchased directly in cash or through cash deposits in bank accounts of self as well as other relatives, using all fraudulent methods such as buying in the names of the relatives, gift and unsecured loan. In some cases, fake sale agreements of other properties showing receipt in cash were also prepared, to project the source of cash as untainted. Also, there were frequent sale and purchase of properties to project the source of money for purchase as genuine whereas the very source of initial purchase was unexplained and tainted money”, the officials in the ED said.

Investigation further revealed that 2.13 crore was paid in cash for purchase of properties. Also, amount totaling to Rs 66 Lakh was paid in cash over and above the amounts mentioned in the registered sale deed for different properties which were acquired by Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA), in lieu of compensation, they further said, adding that the source of above cash was unexplained in the hands of accused and his family members.

UNI AKS JW1915