New Delhi: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken control of 15 immovable properties connected to DMK Member of Parliament and former Union Minister, A Raja, as part of a money laundering investigation.
The ED’s action stems from revelations that Raja, during his tenure as Union Minister from 2004 to 2007, granted environmental clearances to a Gurugram-based real estate company.
According to the ED, their investigation uncovered that the said company had allegedly provided kickbacks to the former Minister as a quid pro quo for the environmental clearances.
These illicit payments were cleverly disguised as land commission income within the framework of a Benami company, the ownership of which was attributed to Raja’s family members and a close family friend. The company, established in 2007, seemingly served as a conduit for concealing the proceeds of the alleged crime, with no discernible business activities ever recorded.
Further scrutiny by the ED also revealed that the properties in question, comprising approximately 45 acres of land located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, were directly acquired using the funds derived from the alleged illicit activities of Raja.
The ED’s action marks a significant step in their ongoing probe into the money laundering allegations against the DMK leader and underscores their commitment to unveiling financial irregularities and malpractices of public officials.
The investigation is expected to continue as authorities aim to establish a clearer picture of the extent of financial impropriety and potential legal ramifications for those involved.
This development casts a spotlight on the broader issue of money laundering and illicit financial activities, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and more robust regulatory mechanisms to combat such practices in India.