Ranchi, Jharkhand: In a major escalation of the Peyjal (Drinking Water) scam investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered suspicious documents during a raid on the residence of 2002 IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, Mr Manish Ranjan, revealing deeper connections and financial irregularities linked to the high-profile corruption case.
Mr Ranjan served as the Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation from October 2022 to January 2024. During his tenure, an FIR was lodged at Sadar Police Station, Ranchi, on December 28, 2023, in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of ₹2,71,62,833. Santosh Kumar, who was then serving as the cashier-cum-additional divisional clerk in the Swarnarekha Division of the department, was named as the accused in the case.
Coded Transactions, Corporate Links of Ranjan’s Wife Emerge
Among the key findings, ED officials recovered four pages of documents that detail suspicious financial transactions under the code name “SURAT.” Investigators believe this coded terminology could be linked to a series of covert payments. In a further twist, documents revealed that Ranjan’s wife is associated with two companies – serving as a director in one private firm and a legal manager in another.
One of the companies identified is Sand Cube Infrastructure Private Limited, a Jharkhand-based firm incorporated in December 2017. ED sources are now probing whether these corporate connections were used to route or mask illicit financial transactions.
Recurring Name in Corruption Probes
This is not the first time Manish Ranjan’s name has cropped up in a corruption investigation. During an earlier probe into alleged irregularities in Rural Development Department tenders, Ranjan was allegedly referred to as “M” in a coded diary maintained by Sanjeev Lal, personal secretary to then-Minister Alamgir Alam. When questioned, Lal reportedly confirmed that “M” stood for Manish Ranjan, prompting the ED to issue a formal summons to the officer.
Peyjal Cashier Confirms Ranjan’s Share in Commission
In a significant development, a cashier from the Peyjal Department told investigators that Ranjan received a share of the alleged kickbacks being distributed among officials. Following this testimony, ED raided Ranjan’s home, seizing more documents related to covert financial operations. The IAS officer has since submitted a written defence to the Adjudicating Authority, claiming innocence and denying any wrongdoing.
Engineer Claims ₹5.53 Lakh in ‘Gifts’; ED Finds Gaps
The ED also raided the residence of engineer Niranjan Kumar, who is connected to the same investigation. Officials recovered ₹5.53 lakh in cash, which Niranjan and his wife claimed had been received as gifts from relatives over several years, invoking Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
However, investigators flagged the couple’s failure to provide credible documentation to back their claim. More critically, the ED found that the amount was not disclosed in their income tax returns, violating Indian tax laws and raising the possibility that the cash was unaccounted and linked to the broader scam.
Probe Widens as ED Connects the Dots
The fresh evidence has significantly widened the scope of the Peyjal scam probe. The ED is now focusing on:
- Decoding the “SURAT” transactions and tracing the money trail.
- Verifying the financial and legal roles of Ranjan’s wife in the flagged companies.
- Cross-examining testimonies, including those from departmental insiders like the Peyjal cashier.
- Investigating possible misuse of corporate entities to conceal illicit gains.
While Manish Ranjan maintains his innocence, the ED is tightening its net as the scam appears to implicate a growing number of high-level officials. The agency is expected to issue further summons and may initiate proceedings under the PMLA and Prevention of Corruption Act in the coming weeks.
The Peyjal scam, originally centered on alleged irregularities in drinking water infrastructure projects, has now evolved into one of the most wide-ranging corruption investigations in the state, involving senior bureaucrats, engineers, and corporate entities.
