Enforcement Directorate attaches Rs 1.67 crore assets in coal scam case

NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate today attached assets, including a Mercedes car, worth Rs 1.67 crore in connection with its money laundering probe in the Coal blocks allocation scam case in Maharashtra.

The provisional order for attachment was issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Ashok Daga, former Director of Ms Gondwana Ispat Limited.

A Mercedes Benz car worth Rs 35.85 lakh, land measuring 854 sq meters and cash worth Rs 14.50 lakh were seized as part of the attachment, the agency said.

"Daga was involved in coal block case as he submitted application to the Ministry of Coal requesting for allocation of 'Ekarjuna Extention' coal block in Warora in Chandarpur district for their proposed washing-cum-sponge iron plant without incorporation.

"Application for allocation of coal mine in the name of the company was submitted on April 4, 2000 and the said company was registered before the Registrar of Companies in Mumbai on October 5, 2001," the Enforcement Directorate said in a statement.

It said the coal block was "allocated for use of coal in the sponge iron plant and Daga without fulfilling his obligation by setting up the sponge iron plant, transferred his shares, the shares of his group companies and family members to others at a premium thus making an illegal gain of Rs 1.67 crore, which constituted proceeds of crime."

ED is probing close to two dozen cases as part of its PMLA probe in the coal blocks allocation, which are being probed by CBI too.