In a significant development just days before the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand, enforcement agencies have recovered cash amounting to ₹35.23 crore over a span of 17 hours. The recovery operation, marked by the meticulous counting of cash, has faced technical challenges with multiple cash counting machines breaking down and replacements being brought in.
The recovered cash was found in a room belonging to Jahangir, the house help of Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary to Jharkhand Rural Development Minister and Congress leader Alamgir Alam. This discovery was made during raids conducted at several locations associated with Virendra Ram, a former chief engineer at the Jharkhand Rural Development Department, who was arrested last year in connection with a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in government schemes.
The timing of this cash recovery, occurring just ahead of the state's Lok Sabha elections, has sparked a political firestorm. The BJP has seized upon the ministerial connection and accused the Congress of corruption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the issue during his election campaign in Odisha, emphasized the significance of combating corruption and alleged financial malpractice.
Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi underscored the gravity of the situation, questioning the potential findings if such a substantial sum was discovered in the house of a minister's aide. He urged action against Alamgir Alam, highlighting the need for accountability in governance.
Responding to the allegations, Alam maintained that conclusions should not be drawn prematurely, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the Enforcement Directorate's investigation. He clarified Sanjiv Lal's role as a government employee who had previously served as a personal secretary to two former ministers, attributing his appointment to experience rather than any wrongdoing.
As the investigation unfolds, the political ramifications of this cash recovery continue to reverberate, shaping the discourse ahead of the impending elections in Jharkhand.