New Delhi India January 15 ANI The Enforcement Directorate ED has assets worth Rs 48.21 lakh belonging to journalist Rajeev Sharma, who is accused of providing confidential and sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers in exchange for remuneration, compromising the security and national interests of the country.
The prevention of money laundering Act PMLA 2002 is attached to the property in connection with a money-laundering investigation, the agency said on Saturday.
The attached asset is a residential property in the name of Sharma in Pitampura, New Delhi.
ED initiated the money-laundering investigation, on the basis of the FIR and charge sheet filed by Delhi Police against Sharma under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Official Secrets Act of 1923.
During the investigation, the ED said that Sharma's remuneration was provided by a Mahipalpur-based shell company that was run by Chinese nationals namely, Zhang Cheng alias Suraj, Zhang Lixia alias Usha and Qing Shi, along with a Nepali national Sher Singh alias Raj Bohara.
This Chinese company was a conduit for the Chinese intelligence agencies to provide remuneration for persons like Rajeev Sharma who indulged in criminal activities. The ED said the remuneration was paid in cash through carriers as well as through cash deposits.
Sharma received money from his friend's bank account in order to conceal his involvement in criminal activities, according to the ED.
The agency said that Sharma received remuneration in kind in the form of various paid foreign trips arranged by the Chinese intelligence agents in addition to obtaining remuneration in cash.