In a major action, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth Rs 2 crore of Santhal Pargana Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Kumar allegedly earned through illegal means when he was secretary (health) from June 2008 to August 2009.

“The ED has attached fixed deposits worth Rs 43 lakh and 40 lakh deposited in different bank accounts along with properties, including a flat at and a house in the name of Kumar at Jascon Plaza located at Circular Road in Ranchi and Udaipur respectively,” said an official requesting anonymity.

A partnership firm namely M/s Essar Enterprises was also formed by his supporter Shyamal Chakravarty and brother Rajendra Kumar to launder the proceeds of crime generated by Kumar so that acquisition of properties can be projected and claimed as untainted. The ED attached one flat in Ranchi and one Udaipur house (both in the name of Pradeep Kumar), one plot in Bengaluru and one house in Udaipur (in the name of Rajendra Kumar), and one Flat at Kolkata in the name of Nand Lal HUF and Shyamal Chakravarty.

“Money laundering has been done by Kumar with the help of Shyamal Chakraverty, Dharmendar Kumar Dheeraj and Chartered Accountant Neeraj Kejriwal. Chakraverty worked for Kumar and used to invest the money earned by him in movable and immovable properties,” said the official.

CBI had registered a case against Kumar under section 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act and under Sections 120 (B), 467 and 471 of IPC following which the ED, taking cognizance in this regard, started investigating the case after under PC Act. The chargesheet filed by the CBI indicates that Kumar misusing his position, earned money more than the known sources of income and invested it in the name of his near and dear ones.