The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 13 locations across New Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Nagpur on Tuesday in connection with a money laundering case involving Bihar cadre IAS officer Sanjeev Hans (1997 batch) and his associates. The raids, carried out by the ED’s Patna zonal office, targeted properties linked to Hans, his close associates, and other accused. Mr. Hans served as the Principal Secretary of the Bihar energy department.
During the operation, the ED seized shares worth Rs. 60 crore, Rs. 16 lakh in unexplained foreign currency, and Rs. 23 lakh in cash. Evidence of significant cash concealment from real estate transactions was also uncovered.
The ED’s investigation alleges that Mr. Hans generated proceeds of crime through corrupt practices during his postings in the Bihar government and during his Central deputations. Former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Gulab Yadav and others reportedly assisted Hans in laundering the illicitly earned money.
Mr. Hans and Mr. Yadav were arrested by the ED on October 18th, with Hans being detained in Patna and Yadav in Delhi. Further investigations into the case are ongoing.
