Ranchi, March 31: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the PMMLA court concerning a high-profile embezzlement case linked to the Jharkhand Water and Sanitation Department.
The accused include Santosh Kumar, a clerk and cashier in the department, his wife Lalita Sinha, and a shell company named Rockdrill Construction (OPC) Private Limited. The case revolves around the alleged misuse and embezzlement of government funds at the Swarnrekha Head Works Division located in Ranchi.
The investigation was initiated based on an FIR and chargesheet filed by the Jharkhand police. However, as the inquiry progressed, the scope of the scam expanded significantly. It was revealed that Santosh Kumar had misappropriated approximately ₹22.86 crores from the government treasury while serving as a cashier-cum-assistant division clerk.
The chargesheet indicated that the initial police investigation underestimated the amount involved in the embezzlement. A detailed probe uncovered extensive financial irregularities, including the illegal transfer of funds through accounts created under fictitious names.
The ED’s chargesheet noted that the illicit earnings were laundered through various investments. The main accused, Santosh Kumar, purchased 6.81 decimals of land in the Ratu area of Ranchi in his sister’s name. Additionally, he booked a Toyota Innova Crysta vehicle in his wife’s name. The investigation also uncovered jewelry worth over ₹1.78 crores, investments in more than 25 mutual fund schemes, and several fixed deposits.
In this case, the ED conducted raids at 26 locations, seizing ₹55.08 lakhs in unaccounted cash and several crucial documents. Previously, the agency had temporarily attached assets worth approximately ₹2.18 crores belonging to the accused. The ED has clarified that the investigation is ongoing, and further revelations may emerge in the coming days.
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