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The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) today revealed that it has recovered and seized an unexplained cash amount of approx. Rs. 35 lakhs, digital devices, fake stamps of Circle Offices, Banks, etc. and various incriminating documents in the form of handwritten receipts/diaries etc. during the raids conducted on March 12 and 13 at 20 locations linked with former Jharkhand Minister Yogendra Sao and his daughter, a Congress MLA in the State.

A press release issued by the ED on Thursday stated that the agency’s Zonal office in Ranchi conducted search operations on the 12th of March at 20 locations in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, Jharkhand related to Yogendra Sao, Amba Prasad, MLA and their other family members and associates under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in connection with a case related to criminal activities such as extortion, collection of levy, illegal sand mining, land grabbing etc.

The ED further said that it initiated an investigation based on more than 15 FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police under various sections of IPC, 1860, Arms Act, 1959 against Yogendra Sao, his family members and his associates. It is alleged in the FIRs that Yogendra Sao, Amba Prasad and their associates are involved in various kinds of criminal activities such as extortion, collection of levy, illegal sand mining, land grabbing etc., as a result of which they have acquired proceeds of crime.

The Central investigation agency revealed that during the search operation on 12.03.2024, an unexplained cash amount of approx. Rs. 35 lakhs, digital devices, fake stamps of Circle Offices, Banks, etc. and various incriminating documents in handwritten receipts/diaries, etc were recovered and seized.

It said that evidence related to illegal sand mining in Jharkhand was also seized during the search. The proceeds of crime generated from such criminal activities have been identified to be acquired in cash and subsequently utilised for further business activities and the purchase of several immovable properties, it added.