ED Raids Ex-J&K Minister’s Spouse in Money Laundering Probe

ED Raids Ex-J&K Minister's Spouse in Money Laundering Probe

Asif Iqbal | October 17, 2023 | 11:28 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

ED Raids Ex-J&K Minister’s Spouse in Money Laundering Probe. Pic/file pic

On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate carried out a series of searches in Jammu and the surrounding regions as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering. This investigation is linked to alleged irregularities in land acquisition for the establishment of an educational trust associated with former minister Lal Singh’s wife and a former government official. According to official sources, these searches targeted approximately eight locations in Jammu, Kathua, and Punjab’s Pathankot.

The primary focus of this investigation is the RB Educational Trust, its chairperson Kanta Andotra (who is also Lal Singh’s wife), and Ravinder S, a former revenue official. The roots of the money laundering case can be traced back to a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in October 2021. The CBI’s charge sheet alleged a conspiracy related to the acquisition of land between January 4 and January 7, 2011. It was suggested that during this transaction, certain critical details regarding the violation of the 100 standard kanal limit, as stipulated by Section 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976, were not disclosed. This omission purportedly resulted in unjust financial benefits being conferred upon the trust.

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Based on the allegations in the CBI’s charge sheet, it was claimed that the RB Educational Trust acquired multiple parcels of land, totaling approximately 329 Kanals, through three gift deeds executed on January 5 and January 7, 2011. The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation has revealed that the surplus land obtained in this manner has been actively utilized by the trust for various purposes, including the operation of DPS Schools and other commercial activities

.The premises subject to Tuesday’s search operation encompass locations associated with the trust, its chairperson, individuals who provided the land, power of attorney holders acting on behalf of the land donors, witnesses involved in the execution of deeds, and the former patwari who improperly issued fards, or land revenue records, to facilitate the RB Educational Trust in executing these deeds, according to sources.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.