ED raids 13 locations in money laundering probe against Bihar IAS officer

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 13 locations across Delhi, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Nagpur on 3 December as part of a money laundering investigation involving IAS officer Sanjeev Hans and others. The searches targeted premises linked to close associates of Hans and businesses in the real estate and service sectors.
The ED’s investigation alleges that Hans generated illicit funds through corrupt practices during his postings in the Bihar government and on central deputations. The agency claims that associates, including Gulab Yadav, played a role in laundering these funds.
The searches uncovered shares worth Rs 60 crore in Demat accounts belonging to family members of a close associate of Hans, who is currently in judicial custody. The ED also found details of 70 bank accounts suspected of being used to launder and conceal illicit funds. Evidence of investments worth Rs 18 crore in real estate, along with records of cash transactions, has been collected. Shares worth Rs 60 crore, balances in 70 bank accounts, foreign currency worth Rs 16 lakh, and Rs 23 lakh in cash have been seized.
In earlier searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED had seized gold jewellery, luxury watches, and cash worth significant amounts from properties linked to Hans and his associates. Items seized included jewellery worth Rs 1.25 crore, silver bullion worth Rs 11 lakh, and cash totalling Rs 87 lakh.
The investigation is ongoing.