ED searches 20 locations in Ranchi, Harzaribagh, linked to Congress MLA; seized approx Rs 35 lakh cash

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], March 14 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at 20 locations in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, related to Yogendra Sao, Amba Prasad, MLA, and their other family members and associates under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.
The searches were carried out on Tuesday in connection with a case related to criminal activities such as extortion, collection of levy, illegal sand mining, land grabbing, etc.
"ED, Ranchi has conducted search operations on March 12, 2024, at 20 locations in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, related to Yogendra Sao, Amba Prasad, MLA and their other family members and associates under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002 in connection with a case related to criminal activities such as extortion, collection of levy, illegal sand mining, land grabbing, etc.," the central probe agency posted on X.
According to the federal agency, during the search, unexplained cash worth approximately Rs 35 lakh was recovered and seized.
"During the search operation unexplained cash worth Rs 35 lakh (approx.), digital devices, fake stamps of Circle Offices, Banks, etc., various incriminating documents in the form of handwritten receipts/diaries, etc. and evidences related to illegal sand mining in the state of Jharkhand have been recovered and seized," ED added in its post.
Meanwhile, following a raid conducted by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) at her properties in Jharkhand on Tuesday, Congress MLA Amba Prasad asserted that she was approached by the BJP with an offer to contest from Hazaribag in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which she denied.
"They (ED) came early in the morning, and from there, it was just a whole day of torture. They made me stand in a place for hours. I was offered the Hazaribag Lok Sabha ticket from the BJP, which I ignored. Then I was pressurized," Prasad said while speaking to ANI on Tuesday.
"So many people coming from the RSS side also pressured me to contest from Chatra. I ignored that also. They see me as a very strong candidate in Hazaribag because we are continuously winning Barkagaon seats. We are from Congress, not from BJP. So easy target," she said.
A complaint of money laundering was filed in 2023 against the Congress MLA at the Ranchi zonal office of the central enforcement agency, as per sources.
Based on the complaint, the Deputy Director-level officer of ED had sought information about all the FIRs registered against Amba Prasad from Jharkhand Police.
In its letter, ED also asked the state police whether any case of predicative offence was registered against Amba Prasad or not.
After the ED's correspondence, the police sent the list of cases registered against Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad to the ED's zonal office.
The 36-year-old legislator represents the Barkagaon Assembly seat in the Hazaribag district. In a post on X the MLA on Wednesday posted a picture of herself waving the victory sign with the quote "Satyamev Jayate" (Truth always wins).