The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached a bribe amount of Rs. 20 lahks in the case of Akil Ahmed, a Regional Officer of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) based in Bangalore, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED launched an investigation under the PMLA based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, of 1988. The investigation revealed that Ahmed demanded illegal gratification from Shri Retnakaran Sajilal, the General Manager of Dilip Buildcon Private Limited (DBL) in Bangalore, with regard to the approval of a concession agreement filed by the company for a project under the Bangalore Chennai Expressway Package 1 & 2 executed by DBL (Dilip Buildcon Private Limited) in Karnataka.
The officer was allegedly receiving the bribe amount from officials of DBL (Dilip Buildcon Private Limited) through a Chartered Accountant based in Delhi on December 30, 2021, when the CBI team trapped the accused Chartered Accountant and recovered the money. The ED has provisionally attached the bribe amount under the PMLA.
The ED’s move to attach the bribe amount highlights the agency’s commitment to tackling corruption in the country. The PMLA provides a legal framework to prevent money laundering and to confiscate and seize properties and assets that are acquired through illegal means. The ED has been actively pursuing cases of corruption and money laundering and has been working to ensure that the proceeds of crime are confiscated and seized.
This recent action by the ED serves as a warning to corrupt officials and those who engage in illegal practices. The ED’s actions also demonstrate that the agency is actively working to enforce the law and to prevent the misuse of public office for personal gain. The investigation into the case is ongoing, and the ED is expected to take further action against those involved in the bribery scheme.
