Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam Took '1.5 Per Cent Cut' In State Government Tenders, Alleges ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (16 May) told a PMLA court that Jharkhand Minister Alamgir Alam allegedly had a fixed share of 1.5 per cent for finalising tenders by the Rural Development Department.

Alam, a Congress leader, was arrested on Wednesday by the ED following multiple searches at properties linked to his personal secretary, Sanjiv Lal, and Lal’s domestic helper, Jehangir Alam.

The raids led to the recovery of Rs 37.5 crore in cash.

While seeking Alam's remand, the central agency told the court, “It is ascertained that seized cash of Rs 32.2 crores was found and seized from a flat in the name of Jahangir Alam… (He was keeping the cash) at the instruction of Sanjeev Kumar Lal who was doing so on behalf of Alamgir Alam…”.

The ED said the “process of collection and distribution of commission was taken care of by assistant engineers posted at Rural Development and Rural Works Department…the share of Minister Alamgir Alam was 1.5% of allocated tender amount," Indian Express reported.

The agency also alleged that in September 2022, Alam received Rs 3 crore as a commission from an assistant engineer.

The ED registered the case in 2020, following an investigation by the Jharkhand government's Anti-Corruption Branch into alleged corruption involving Chief Engineer Virendra Ram and others in the Rural Development Department.

The ED's investigation led to a prosecution complaint and a supplementary complaint against ten individuals, including Ram.

“Ram used to collect commissions in terms of allocation of tender and execution of work… During the investigation, it was ascertained that the whole process of collection and distribution of commission was taken care of by assistant engineers…,” the ED told the PMLA court.

The ED further asserted that several officials within the Rural Development Department were involved in the corruption nexus and that large payments were being received in cash that was later laundered.

“The role of Alamgir Alam is found to be crucial in the ongoing investigation based upon the statement of witnesses and material collected and in possession of ED… During the course of investigation, many instances and corroborative evidence were also found which clearly establishes the role of Alamgir Alam, who is found to be involved in the offense of money laundering, and has acquired, and is in possession of, proceeds of crime which is concealed and kept at premises of his associates…” the ED said.

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