ED probes Yadav Singh for money laundering links

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Noida authority to provide details of government projects and properties linked to suspended Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh and his family members.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Noida authority to provide details of government projects and properties linked to suspended Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh and his family members.

The CBI is already probing allegations of disproportionate assets against suspended Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh since August. (HT File Photo)

Officials said the ED has also demanded details of 25 private agencies that were allotted government construction and other projects. These agencies are allegedly linked to Singh and his family members — wife, son and two daughters.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already been probing allegations of disproportionate assets against Singh since August. Now, the ED, which deals with foreign exchange management violations and money laundering, has also started its probe. It has directed Noida officials to send the required details immediately.

“We received a letter from the ED’s Lucknow office. We have forwarded the same to all departments, including engineering, water works and infrastructure. They will compile the files required and send them to the ED directly,” said Vipin Guar, general manager at the Noida authority.

Authority officials said the details will be forwarded to ED in two to three days.

The Allahabad high court, in its order dated July 16, had said a CBI probe was needed due to the limited powers available with other agencies.

Nutan Thakur, a social activist from Lucknow whose petition led to a CBI probe in the case, said, “The Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) on black money is already probing this case because money laundering through private agencies is suspected. I had submitted evidence in this regard before the Allahabad high court after which the CBI investigation was ordered. The ED will find out whether Singh and his family members are involved in money laundering.”

The high court had observed in its order that Yadav, his family, and associates had got 320 plots worth Rs 750 crore between 2002 and 2014.

“The ED wants to investigate whether Singh and his family had a stake in private agencies. Therefore, it has sought complete details of private agencies that were allotted government construction projects during Singh’s tenure,” said a Noida authority official.