PATNA: The Enforcement Directorate filed a prosecution complaint in the Special PMLA Court in Patna, charging Arun Yadav, Kiran Devi, Rajesh Kumar Ranjan, Dipu Kumar, and their company Kiran Durga Contractors Pvt Ltd with money laundering.
The case revolves around large amount of illegal money generated mainly through unauthorised sand mining in Bihar, along with corruption and other criminal activities. The ED started its investigation after multiple FIRs were registered by Bihar Police and the Special Vigilance Unit against these people for offences such as cheating, extortion, illegal sand mining, and possessing assets far beyond their known legal income.
During the probe, the ED found that Arun and his family members acquired assets worth around Rs39.31 crore between 2014-15 and 2024-25, even though their legitimate income during the same period was only about Rs2.65 crore. This left roughly Rs36.66 crore in disproportionate or unexplained assets.
The investigation showed that the illegal earnings came primarily from banned sand mining operations and misuse of official positions. To hide the origin of this money and make it appear legal, the accused used several methods, including depositing large sums of cash into bank accounts, showing falsely high income from dairy and animal husbandry businesses, and routing funds through their company. The laundered money was then invested in buying agricultural land, residential flats, and a commercial plot in Patna.
On Feb 27, 2024, the ED conducted searches at premises linked to Arun and the company, recovering several important financial documents and records. Following this, properties valued at Rs21.38 crore were provisionally attached by the ED, and the attachment was later confirmed by the PMLA Adjudicating Authority.
The Special Court has now taken the prosecution complaint on record. The accused face charges under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, for the offence of money laundering. The ED stated that the investigation is still continuing to gather more evidence and identify any other people involved.
