ED registers case in UP sand mining scam

New Delhi, January 17

Close on the heels of a CBI FIR, the Enforcement Directorate today registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the ongoing investigation into UP illegal sand mining in which the role of state bureaucrats and politicians is being probed.

The development will add to the troubles for former UP Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who held the additional portfolio of mining during 2012-13. The CBI in its FIR had said: “The role of the then mining ministers concerned during the relevant period may be looked into during the investigation.”

An ED official said the agency had filed a case under PMLA provisions against bureaucrats and politicians, whose names find place in the CBI FIR. It will now look into money trail and see if alleged illegal funds earned as kickbacks in these cases were laundered by the accused. It may soon summon the accused for questioning, he said. The CBI had on January 2 registered a case against 11 persons under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. — TNS