After Seizure Of Rs 37 Crore Cash, Jharkhand Congress Minister Alamgir Alam Summoned By ED In Money Laundering Case

After the seizure of approximately Rs 37 crore in cash from Jharkhand Congress Minister Alamgir Alam's personal secretary Sanjiv Lal's domestic help, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Alam.

Last Monday, both Lal and his domestic help were arrested by the ED and were questioned about the source of the funds. Certain incriminating documents were also seized.

In the summons issued on Sunday (12 May), Rural Development Minister Alam has been asked to appear on 14 May at the zonal office of ED in Ranchi.

The summons comes at a time when Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand are starting tomorrow. The elections will be held in four phases with the last phase of voting on 1 June.

Alam had earlier distanced himself from the matter and said Sanjiv Lal was not only his personal secretary, he previously served other ministers as well.

The Jharkhand Congress had previously noted that Sanjiv Lal had also served as the personal secretary to former BJP minister C P Singh.

Lal has been Alam's personal secretary since Alam became a cabinet minister in 2019. Alam represents Pakur in the Jharkhand Assembly.

The investigation started with former chief engineer Virendra Ram, who worked at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department and was arrested last year in February.

Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Ram's assets worth Rs 39 crore were attached as the ED considered it generated through proceeds of crime.