Raipur, June 4: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Jayprakash Gandhi in connection with a fraud case involving land acquisition compensation for the Bharatmal Highway. The arrest was made by the ED’s Raipur zonal office, targeting Gandhi, a resident of Abhanpur in Chhattisgarh, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh. This FIR pertains to significant irregularities and fraud in the distribution of compensation for land acquired under the Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Economic Corridor project of the Bharatmal project.
The ED’s probe revealed that Jayprakash Gandhi, in collusion with family members and certain government officials, acquired land falling within the notified highway alignment. He then subdivided this land into smaller parcels measuring less than 500 square meters. It is alleged that this division was done solely to claim inflated compensation from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Further investigation indicated that through these fraudulent methods, Gandhi and his family members received approximately ₹9.83 crore in compensation, compared to the legitimate amount of only ₹56.76 lakh. Consequently, they generated around ₹9.27 crore in ‘proceeds of crime.’ The investigation also uncovered that this ‘proceeds of crime’ was subsequently concealed and laundered through investments in stocks, mutual funds, and other financial instruments.
Previously, on April 28, the ED conducted searches at various locations in Raipur, Abhanpur, and Dhamtari districts. During these operations, incriminating documents, digital devices, and other evidence related to the fraudulent acquisition of compensation were seized.
The arrested individual has been presented before a special court (PMLA) in Raipur, which has approved a three-day ED custody for him. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on the roles of other beneficiaries, intermediaries, and government employees involved in the conspiracy.
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