In an enforcement move aligning with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) initiated legal action against Jogendra Tiwari and 11 associated entities. These entities, including M/s Saran Alcohol Pvt Ltd, M/s Santhal Pargana Pvt Ltd, and M/s Maihar Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd, faced a Prosecution Complaint (PC) filed before the Hon’ble Special PMLA Court in Ranchi on December 16, 2023. The subsequent presentation of the PC before the Honorable Court of Ranchi occurred on December 23, 2023.
The ED’s intervention followed 19 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Jharkhand Police against Jogendra Tiwari and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The charges encompassed offences such as the illegal sale of sand, illicit trade in alcohol, unauthorized land transactions, and other criminal activities, prompting the ED’s investigative response.
The ED’s findings revealed Jogendra Tiwari’s engagement in unlawful practices related to whiskey and sand trading, conducted under the guise of his associates’ names. Despite the apparent involvement of close colleagues, Jogendra Tiwari exercised control over each of these entities. The investigation unveiled that these illicit activities generated proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 14.79 crore. A substantial portion of these illicit gains found their way into multiple companies under Jogendra Tiwari’s leadership, aiming to establish a monopoly in the Jharkhand liquor industry during 2021–2022.
On August 23, 2023, the ED executed searches at 32 locations linked to Jogendra Tiwari and associates across Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal as part of the ongoing inquiry. Subsequently, Jogendra Tiwari was taken into custody by the ED on October 19, 2023, upon discovery of his involvement in money laundering. Additional research is currently being conducted.
