New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 1.51 crore belonging to former IAS officer Padma Jaiswal (IAS:2003:AGMUT) and her family in connection with an alleged money-laundering case linked to corruption charges dating back to her tenure in Arunachal Pradesh.
The action was taken on Friday, with the agency issuing a provisional attachment order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to the ED, the attached assets include a commercial property in Chandigarh, registered in the name of Jaiswal’s brother, Vishu Bhanu Partap Mahto, and mutual fund investments worth Rs 9 lakh.
The commercial property has an estimated current market value of Rs 1.42 crore. Together with the mutual fund investments, the total value of the attached assets stands at approximately Rs 1.51 crore.
The case relates to allegations that Jaiswal, in criminal conspiracy with other public servants, misappropriated government funds during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district at Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh.
Her 23-year career ended in May 2026 when she was removed from service after corruption charges were upheld in a departmental inquiry.
ED Attaches Chandigarh Property and Mutual Fund Investments
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the provisional attachment order covers assets worth approximately Rs 1.51 crore.
The major asset is a commercial property in Chandigarh, which is registered in the name of Jaiswal’s brother, Vishu Bhanu Partap Mahto. The agency has assessed its current market value at Rs 1.42 crore.
In addition to the property, the ED has attached mutual fund investments valued at Rs 9 lakh.
The agency’s action is part of its ongoing money-laundering investigation into the alleged diversion and utilisation of government funds.
The ED claims that the money allegedly misappropriated during Jaiswal’s posting in Arunachal Pradesh was subsequently utilised to acquire immovable properties in the names of her close relatives.
What Are the Allegations Against IAS Padma Jaiswal?
The money-laundering investigation against Padma Jaiswal originates from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The FIR alleges that Jaiswal, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district at Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh, entered into a criminal conspiracy with other accused public servants to misappropriate government funds.
According to the allegations, the funds were diverted through the alleged misuse of official position and subsequently used for acquiring assets.
The ED has claimed that immovable properties were purchased in the names of Jaiswal’s close relatives using the allegedly diverted money.
The agency is investigating the financial transactions and the alleged movement of proceeds of crime under the provisions of the PMLA.
CBI Filed Chargesheet in August 2024
The case had earlier been investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
In August 2024, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Padma Jaiswal and other accused persons in connection with the alleged misappropriation of government funds.
The chargesheet invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The CBI investigation focused on the alleged criminal conspiracy and misuse of public funds during Jaiswal’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district.
The ED subsequently pursued the money-laundering angle, examining whether the allegedly misappropriated funds were used to acquire properties and other assets in the names of family members.
Investigation Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
The latest attachment action represents a further development in the ED’s investigation into the alleged proceeds of crime.
Under the PMLA, the agency can provisionally attach properties suspected to be proceeds of crime, subject to the statutory process and adjudication.
In this case, the ED has provisionally attached the Chandigarh commercial property valued at Rs 1.42 crore and mutual fund investments worth Rs 9 lakh.
The investigation concerns the alleged diversion of government funds during Jaiswal’s Arunachal Pradesh posting and the subsequent acquisition of assets in the names of her relatives.
The attachment order is provisional and forms part of the ongoing legal proceedings in the matter.
Who Is She?
Padma Jaiswal is a former 2003-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre whose 23-year career ended in dismissal in May 2026. Born in Chandigarh on October 6, 1975, she holds B.Com. and M.Com./MBA degrees from Panjab University and is a qualified Company Secretary. Following her selection into the civil services, she held several key administrative roles across Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry – where she served for over seven years in portfolios such as Information Technology and Social Defence – before taking up her final posting as Special Secretary in Delhi’s Administrative Reforms Department in February 2026. However, her career was overshadowed by a 2008 corruption case alleging she misappropriated approximately ₹28 lakh in public funds while serving as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh. Following an 18-year legal and disciplinary battle that concluded with a Delhi High Court ruling in favour of the Centre, the President of India ordered her formal removal from the IAS in May 2026, and the Enforcement Directorate subsequently attached properties worth ₹1.51 crore linked to the case in November 2026.
