Enforcement Directorate raids 5 Maoist leaders in Bihar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out major crackdown on top five Maoist members in Bihar and seized properties worth Rs 2 crore. The financial investigative agency also filed a chargesheet, also know as prosecution complaint, against the five Maoist members under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The apprehended are identified as Pradumn Sharma — incharge of Magadh Zone of CPI Maoists, Sandeep Yadav —, leader of CPI Maoists, Binay Yadav — a top commander and active member of Bihar Regional Committee of CPI Maoist, Musafir Sahni and Anil Ram, both top Maoist leaders of north Bihar.

The ED has attached immovable properties that have registered value of Rs 68 lakh, Rs 86 lakh, Rs 54.14 lakh and Rs 77 lakh, which includes JCB, SUVs and buses belonging to Pradumn Sharma, Sandeep Yadav, Musafir Sahni and Anil Ram and Binay Yadav respectively.

"The present market value of these immovable properties is several crore rupees," ED stated.

Investigation further revealed that Pradumn Sharma has laundered extortion money of Rs 2 crore layered through several bank accounts which was ultimately invested in immovable property held by his family members.

A part of extortion money was used for admission of niece of Sharma in a prominent medical college. It is pertinent to mention that annual fees of the medical college is of Rs 24 lakh.

Binay Yadav has also been found laundering extortion money of Rs 1.50 crore using several bank accounts and the laundered money is ultimately used for movable and immovable properties.

Musafir Sahni has also laundered extortion money and the same was invested in 11 plots of land in Vaishali in the name of his family members. Anil Ram had used extortion money in the acquisition of 6 immovable properties and truck on benami names.