ED registers money laundering case against AAP's Satyendra Jain

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and state Health Minister Satyendra Jain, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case against him under various sections of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Jain is alleged to have laundered Rs 16.39 crore through the four companies run by him including Prayas Infosolutions Pvt Ltd, Akinchan Developers Pvt Ltd, and Mangalyaatan Projects Pvt Ltd, besides Indo-Metal Impex Pvt Ltd.

The Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), ED's parlance for FIR, was registered the case based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Last week, the CBI had registered a disproportionate assets case against Jain, his wife Poonam, and four others for allegedly abetting the commission of the crime. The CBI also carried out searches at four places including his residence and company office premises of Jain and other accused persons in Delhi.

The agency registered a case four months after they launched a preliminary enquiry (PE) against Jain for allegedly laundering through shell companies and data operators. Based on its findings, the CBI has alleged that Jain amassed disproportionate assets worth Rs 1.6 crore after he joined Delhi government, which could not be justified by his known sources of income.

The CBI stated, "It has been alleged that the Minister of Delhi Government while functioning as a public servant, has amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the extent of Rs 1.62 crore during the period of February 14, 2015, to May 31, 2017. His wife and associates have allegedly abetted the commission of the said offence."