Patna : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a series of raids on Thursday in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to a tender scam in Patna. The raids targeted multiple locations associated with Tarini Das, Chief Engineer of the Bihar Building Construction Department. Officials have reportedly recovered crores of rupees during the operation, prompting the use of a note-counting machine to handle the enormous volume of cash.
Raids Across Multiple Locations
The ED’s operations spanned six to seven locations, including Purnendu Nagar in Anisabad, Patna. Sources suggest that Das allegedly facilitated tenders for contractors in exchange for substantial sums of money.
Link to IAS Sanjeev Hans Case
The case is believed to be connected to senior IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, who was arrested five months ago on charges of money laundering. Former MLA Gulab Yadav was also apprehended in connection with the same case from a resort in Delhi. During the investigation into allegations of gang rape against Hans and Yadav, Patna Police uncovered significant evidence of unaccounted wealth, which was subsequently handed over to the Vigilance Department. This development intensified the ED’s probe, eventually leading to the latest raids.
Political Reactions Intensify
The ED’s actions have triggered a political storm in Bihar. RJD MLA Rakesh Roshan criticised the Nitish Kumar-led government, calling the incident a glaring example of corruption. “There is no control over officials in the Nitish government. Money is being taken for transfers and postings,” Roshan remarked.
In contrast, BJP MLA Lakhendra Paswan defended the government’s stance, asserting that the crackdown demonstrated a commitment to good governance. “Action is being taken against those who do wrong. No one is being framed, nor is anyone being spared,” Paswan stated.
