The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday searched multiple locations in connection with the case alleging illegal mining in Jharkhand, leading to the seizure of two AK-series assault rifles from a person in Ranchi.
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The assault rifles were found on the premises of one Prem Prakash, whose role is also being investigated by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The searches were carried out at 17 locations in Jharkhand, Bihar, in and around Delhi and Tamil Nadu, based on the purported revelations made by Pankaj Mishra and one of his “musclemen”, Bachhu Yadav.
Mr. Mishra, the MLA representative of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, was arrested in July. Subsequently, his associated was also held.
The ED probe is based on a First Information Report registered at the Barharwa police station in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj against Mr. Mishra and others. Later, more cases alleging illegal mining came under its ambit. The agency has so far detected proceeds of alleged crime worth over ₹100 crore.
As part of the probe, the ED has seized ₹5.34 crore in cash, ₹13.32 crore lying in 50 bank accounts and one inland vessel worth ₹30 crore, besides several stone crushers and trucks.