Congress Leader Alamgir Alam Arrested in Money Laundering Case
Congress leader and Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alamgir Alam was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering case. The 70-year-old was taken into custody at the agency's zonal office in Ranchi after six hours of questioning.
The ED had arrested Alam's personal secretary, Sanjeev Kumar Lal, and his domestic help, Jahangir Alam, last week after seizing over Rs 32 crore in cash from a flat linked to them. The money laundering investigation pertains to alleged irregularities and payment of "bribes" in the state rural development department.
During the remand hearing of the two arrested persons, the ED informed the court that Lal collected "commission" on behalf of influential people and that government officials from "top to bottom" in the rural department are involved in the alleged illegal cash payments nexus.
The total seizure of cash by the ED in this case has reached around Rs 36.75 crore. The agency seized Rs 3 crore from other locations, including Rs 10.05 lakh from Lal's residence and Rs 1.5 crore from a contractor's place.
Alam was questioned by the ED for over nine hours on Tuesday and his statement was recorded. He was arrested on Wednesday after the second day of questioning.