In a significant development in the Jharkhand MGNREGA scam, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi Zonal Office has executed its fourth Provisional Attachment Order, seizing four immovable properties valued at Rs 22.47 lakh. These properties belong to Shashi Prakash and Jai Kishore Chaudhary, both serving as Executive Engineers, implicated in the widespread corruption case. With this latest action, the total value of attached or seized assets in this ongoing investigation has soared to Rs. 106.86 crore.
The ED’s aggressive stance follows an intensive investigation sparked by 16 FIRs registered by the Jharkhand Police. These FIRs were centered around the misappropriation of Rs 18 crore earmarked for MGNREGA projects in Khunti, Jharkhand. A detailed charge-sheet by the police further uncovered the roles of several individuals including Junior Engineer RBP Sinha, the late Assistant Engineer R.K. Jain, alongside Shashi Prakash and Chaudhary, who collectively embezzled Rs.18.06 crore.
The investigation gained further momentum on May 6, 2022, when the ED conducted multiple raids under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These targeted searches included the residences of the accused engineers and the office premises of Pooja Singhal, the then District Commissioner of Khunti. A startling discovery during these operations was the recovery and seizure of Rs 19.58 crore in cash. This find has been linked directly to the scam, underscoring the scale of the graft involved.
Additionally, the crackdown has led to the arrest of three individuals: Ram Binod Prasad Sinha, Pooja Singhal, and Chartered Accountant Suman Kumar. In connection with these arrests, three Prosecution Complaints have been filed against the accused, including Sinha, Singhal, Abhishek Jha, Jai Kishore Chaudhary, the deceased R.K. Jain, Shashi Prakash, and CA Suman Kumar. These cases are currently being tried before the Honorable Special (PMLA) Court in Ranchi.
The ongoing trials and the successive provisional attachments underscore the ED’s committed efforts to dismantle the networks of corruption that have siphoned off public funds meant for rural development through MGNREGA. This case continues to unfold, highlighting the critical role of law enforcement in upholding transparency and accountability in governmental operations.
