The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has filed a Prosecution Complaint under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against R. Selvaraj, M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd., P. Vishnu Anand, and D. L. Madhusudhan in a case relating to Red Sanders smuggling before the Hon’ble Special PMLA Court, Visakhapatnam. The Prosecution Complaint has been heard by the Hon’ble Court.
The ED launched an inquiry based on an FIR filed by Narayanavanam PS, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh Police under different sections of the IPC, the Wildlife Protection Act, the Biological Diversity Act, and the Arms Act for alleged possession and smuggling of red sandalwood, among other things. Following that, various FIRs were filed by A.P. Police against R. Selvaraj and others under the IPC, Arms Act, Biological Diversity Act, Wildlife Protection Act, AP State Forest Act, and other laws, which were investigated as part of the ongoing inquiry in the case.
R. Selvaraj was found to be a habitual offender who was involved in the smuggling of red sanders and other related illicit operations, resulting in massive amounts of criminal proceeds. He used the proceeds of crime to purchase many properties in his name and the names of his family members, as well as his family-owned company, M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd. The other accused deliberately supported R. Selvaraj in concealing and possessing property obtained from criminal proceeds and projecting it as untainted.
Previously, in March 2022, the ED attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 2.74 Crore belonging to R. Selvaraj, his family members, and M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd., which was validated by the Hon’ble Adjudicating Authority, PMLA in September 2022. More research is being conducted.
