ED Attaches Funds Worth Rs 1.77 Crore Of Journalist Rana Ayyub In Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate has attached funds worth over Rs 1.77 crore of journalist Rana Ayyub in connection with a money laundering probe linked to alleged diversion of donor funds for personal use, agency sources said on Thursday (10 February).

The agency issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach a fixed deposit and bank balances in her and her family's name.

The money laundering case against Ayyub is based on a September, 2021 FIR of Ghaziabad Police (Uttar Pradesh) related to alleged irregularities in funds obtained by her from the public for charitable purposes.

In his complaint to the UP police, the complainant Vikas Sankrityayan had alleged that Rana Ayyub had illegally acquired public money through relief measure campaigns on Ketto.

Both ED and the Income Tax department are investigating the financial transactions in the matter.

ED has claimed that Ayyub received foreign donations without having any approval under FCRA (foreign contribution regulation act), mandatory to receive any funding from abroad.

(With inputs from PTI)