Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 10: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jammu has attached 6 immovable properties worth Rs one crore in a money laundering case.
Located in Village Assrwan, Taluka Bhalwal, Jammu, these properties comprising 20 Kanals of the land belonging to a prominent businessman of Jammu Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary, proprietor of M/S Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary, and others, were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2022.
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The attached properties were linked to a case initiated by an FIR and charge sheet filed by the CBI, Jammu, in March 2021 Under Sections 420, 471, and 120-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, and 5(1)(d) r/w 5(2) of the J&K PC Act, Samvat 2006.
The case involves Chaudhary and others allegedly conspiring with then NHAI Regional Officer Hem Raj to secure a tender worth Rs 9.34 crore for the short-term improvement and maintenance of the NHAI/Lakhanpur-Jammu section, including the Jammu Bye-Pass, in 2018, using fake and forged experience certificates.
“Investigations by the ED revealed that the experience certificates submitted by Chaudhary were forged, with issuing authorities denying their authenticity,” read a statement issued by the Enforcement Directorate.
Additionally, the statement said that the required bank guarantee had expired and was not renewed, violating tender conditions.
Chaudhary is also accused of manipulating the tender process, committing fraud and criminal conspiracy to secure undue benefits.
The funds from NHAI were traced to various accounts and used to acquire the attached land. As such, the lands have been attached, the statement added.
Further investigation into the case is underway, said ED.
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