Srijan scam: Illegal assets of accused under ED scanner

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), investigating the multi-crore Srijan scam in Bihar, will soon initiate fresh proceedings to confiscate ill-gotten assets acquired by the accused, including serving and retired public servants. The agency, sources said, has already identified those properties.

Sources said the fresh process to confiscate ill-gotten assets acquired by the accused will be initiated under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Two central probe agencies — ED and the CBI — are investigating Rs 1,400 crore scam involving Bhagalpur-based non-government organisation Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti. The ED registered enforcement case investigation report (ECIR) based on the cases lodged by the CBI. More than 17 people have so far been arrested in the cases related to the scam in Bhagalpur and its neighbouring districts in Bihar.

Two prime accused — Priya and Amit Kumar — daughter in-law and son of the founding member of the Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti, Manorama Devi, are still at large. Nineteen people have been made accused in connection with the scam. The agencies are also preparing to examine seven former district revenue officers of Saharsa and other districts in connection with the case. According to sources, investigation by the agencies has revealed that several cheques issued by the banks were allegedly transferred to different accounts of the NGO by these officials.