New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorare (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office on Friday said that they have filed a chargesheet against Arun Saraf, G D Mining Private Limited and others before a Special Court. The ED said that it has also attached 149 immovable properties worth Rs. 8.26 Crore held by G D Mining Private Limited and other group entities.
The ED initiated PMLA investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police, regarding theft, illegal sand mining, illegal possession and transportation of sand. Various entities were allegedly involved in the theft and sale of sand using fake/forged road e-challans.
The ED investigation identified the modus employed by the accused entities. G D Mining Pvt Ltd, led by Arun Saraf, is accused of theft and illegal transportation of sand, storage, and sale through forged e-challans, double trips with the same challan etc. Huge Proceeds of Crime (POC) running into crores have been generated through these offences. By using this illegal modus, accused entities committed large-scale theft, transportation and illegal sale of sand resulting in undue enrichment of the accused persons.
Earlier, during the search operation, several documentary and digital evidence were found which prove the above modus of accused entities. These documents indicated an earning of huge unexplained income through such illegal activities in sand. During the investigation, the ED took help of CPWD to accurately estimate the total sand theft in recent times. Discrepancies and documentary evidence were thoroughly examined, and inquiries with the accused individuals revealed that they were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the findings.
Further, investigation has also revealed that cash generated through aforesaid activities has been partly brought into the books through cash deposits and accounting manipulations. The accused showed excess cash deposits as regular income and projected these illegally generated funds to be derived out of genuine business activities.
After ED started investigation, the accused entities manipulated the GST returns to account for the excess cash deposits. These POC have been used for purchasing various properties in the name of G D Mining Pvt. Ltd. and its group entities which have been provisionally attached by the ED.
Earlier, Arun Saraf, promoter of G D Mining Private Limited, was arrested and presently he is in judicial custody. So far, in this case, various searches have been conducted, which has resulted in seizure of cash of Rs. 99 Lakh, various incriminating documents and digital evidence.
Further investigation is underway regarding the involvement of other individuals and entities in the case, examination of financial transactions of various persons and entities including shell companies with accused entities, as well as further tracing, layering, and utilization of POC.
