Enforcement Directorate attaches Rs 1.53 crore assets in notes ban case

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 1.53 crore in connection with its money laundering probe into alleged black money generation post demonetisation in Bihar's Gaya.

The central probe agency said it has issued a provisional attachment order against two flats and a house in Muzzafarpur in the state along with some bank deposits, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It said the alleged black money was generated involving "use of third party accounts for huge cash deposits in demonetised currency in certain bank accounts of the Bank of India in Gaya during demonetisation period."

"These attached properties are held in the name of Rajesh Agrawal, proprietor of Ms Maa Tara Agency, Muzaffarpur Bihar and R K Gupta proprietor of Ms Harikripa, New Delhi," it said.

The probe agency said that during investigation, it was found that officials of the Bank of India, Gaya in connivance with some businessmen misused the bank account of certain innocent persons to deposit huge amount of demonetised currency in their bank accounts.

"The money was layered through various bank accounts in the guise of fake business transactions to the tune of Rs 1.46 crore in demonetised currency, and deposited in the bank account of two persons without their knowledge and consent," the Enforcement Directorate said.

The said amount, it said, was further transferred to the account of Ms Maa Tara Agency, Muzaffarpur.

"In a similar manner, Rs 82.5 lakh demonetised currency was deposited into bank account of a third person and thereafter transferred to the account of M/s Harikripa, New Delhi.

The proprietor Rajesh Agrawal and R K Gupta could not offer any explanation of such deposits and transaction," the ED said.