ED arrests alleged middleman in Jharkhand illegal mining case

During fresh raids across multiple locations in Jharkhand on Wednesday, the ED recovered 2 AK47 rifles and 60 ammunitions and two magazines from Prem Prakash's house in Ranchi.

Published on: Aug 25, 2022, 10:20:51 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested an alleged middleman in connection with an illegal mining case in Jharkhand, the third arrest in the case. The middleman, identified as one Prem Prakash with reportedly strong connections in the state government, was arrested after the central investigative agency recovered sophisticated firearm from a premise linked to him. (Also Read | ED finds 2 AK-47 assault rifles in a rented house in Ranchi. Then a twist)

Two AK-47 rifles and bullets recovered by Enforcement Directorate (ED) during a raid at the residence of Prem Prakash as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation into alleged illegal mining in the state, in Ranchi. (PTI)

During fresh raids across multiple locations in Jharkhand on Wednesday, the ED recovered 2 AK47 rifles and 60 ammunitions and two magazines from Prem Prakash's house in posh Harmu Housing colony under Argora police station limits in Ranchi.

Prakash was taken into custody under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) around 2am on Thursday, reported PTI. He was arrested on charges of illegal mining, money laundering and his role in suspected criminal nexus between the Jharkhand administration, businessmen and politicians case, according to ANI.

He will be produced before a Ranchi court where the ED will seek his custody, reported PTI citing officials.

Earlier, the ED had arrested Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's political aide Pankaj Mishra, and Mishra's associate and muscleman Bachhu Yadav.

The agency had on Wednesday launched searches at premises linked to Prakash in Ranchi, apart from a few other places in Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 60 bullets from a house linked to Prakash in the state capital here.

The weapons belonged to two Jharkhand Police constables, who were suspended after the ED made the recoveries.

(With inputs from agencies)

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