UTTARAKHAND: In the paper leak case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also started gathering information about the properties of the accused. It is being told that the ED can soon register an FIR in this case.
Following the arrest of Hakam Singh Rawat and Chandan Manral last month in the paper leak case, the Special Task Force had written to the ED about their properties.
Police and vigilance in their preliminary investigation have found these three accused to have an estimated turnover of Rs 200 crore and identified movable and immovable assets worth crores of rupees.
It may be recalled that in the last cabinet meeting, the subordinate selection service commission was stripped of the right to conduct future examinations for recruitment and it was transferred to the state public service commission.
In the last two months, the state's Special Task Force police have arrested 40 people and busted an organised gang of big recruitment scams whose kingpins have built their empire worth Rs 200 crore through the paper leak business itself.
Following the arrest of Hakam Singh Rawat and Chandan Manral last month in the paper leak case, the STF had written to the ED about their properties. Also, letters were being sent continuously from time to time by the STF. STF's initial investigation has revealed a turnover of Rs 111 crore of Rajesh Chauhan.
In view of this, the ED has also become active and has sought information from the police about the properties of the accused. So, action can be taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Under this, properties worth crores of rupees of the accused can be attached.
Here, the STF had also taken action under the Gangster Act, property can also be seized under this law. Therefore, the STF is also investigating from its level. Details of properties of Hakam Singh and Chandan Manral are being collected. The team is camping at Hakam Singh's resort in Sankri.
An investigation is being done in tehsil, registrar's office. Documents regarding movable properties in RTO and ARTO office are also being examined. Similarly, teams in Ramnagar are gathering information about Chandan Manral's property.
Besides Hakam Singh and Chandan Manral, the ED will also take the properties of Rajesh Chauhan, owner of Lucknow printing press, the mastermind of the gang, under the scanner.