Noida’s Yadav Singh case: ED attaches assets worth Rs19.42 crore

The Enforcement Directorate attached the assets in connection with its probe into money laundering charges against former Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday attached assets worth Rs19.42 crore, in connection with its probe into money laundering charges against former Noida chief engineer Yadav Singh.

Properties of three construction companies and a firm allegedly owned by Singh’s wife have been attached (Sunil Ghosh/HT FIle Photo)

The agency said it has issued orders for freezing of assets under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Subsequently, properties of three construction companies and a firm allegedly owned by Singh’s wife have been attached.

“The total value of seized assets is around Rs 19.42 crore,” it said.

The ED had slapped money laundering charges in two separate cases against Singh in 2015, based on a First Investigation Report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI has also filed a charge sheet in this case.

The CBI had registered two cases against Singh and his family members for alleged corruption and amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income, after an order from Allahabad High Court.

Singh’s case came to the fore after the Income Tax department carried out searches against him and others on tax evasion charges.

A scrutiny of Income Tax Returns and other connecting records had reportedly revealed that during 2009-2014, the total likely savings of the family of the then chief engineer was approximately Rs 1.70 crore, whereas they were in possession of immovable property worth around Rs 3.60 crore, CBI had said.

“Besides, approximately Rs 10 crore, which belonged to the then chief engineer, was allegedly recovered from one of his associates,” the CBI had said.

An attachment of assets order under PMLA is aimed to deprive the accused from taking benefits from their ill-gotten wealth and it can be challenged before the Adjudicating Authority of the said Act within 180 days by the aggrieved party.