The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided the official premises of Ranchi-based two businessmen Vishal Choudhary and Nishit Keshri in Ranchi in connection with the money laundering probe against suspended IAS Pooja Singhal. The ED also raided one private person Anil Jha. But not much detail is available about him.
According to the information, raids were carried out at half a dozen places in Ranchi besides one at Muzaffarpur in Bihar. Later on, in the evening the ED officials took Vishal with them.
The ED sources said that no significant amount was recovered during the raids but a number of documents recovered related to financial transactions which suspectedly indicate possible money laundering.
The ED said that seized documents have been taken for investigation and those who have been raided may be called for questioning.
Sources said that Vishal Choudhary is associated with many bureaucrats of Jharkhand. He is said to have supplied medical kits and equipment to the health department and he is engaged in the skill development mission of the Jharkhand government. He is also said to be associated with the beverage-related business. It is evident from the fact that when the Raghubar Das government decided to take over the liquor business, his company had provided the necessary manpower to the government.
According to the information, he runs ‘Vinayaka Fundamental Research and Education Society (VFRES) which was established in 2012. This organization is the partner of the Jharkhand Skill Development Mission. It signed an agreement with the Jharkhand government to provide skill development training and placement of youth.
He is associated with Frontline Promoters Private Limited (2009) where his wife Shweta Singh Chaudhary and father Triveni Chaudhary are directors. The registered address of the company is at Kanti in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. There are reports about several other companies where his family members are engaged like Vayam Info Security Services Private Limited, Vayam Info Solutions Private Limited and FGS Construction Private Limited.
Sources said that during the pandemic, he had supplied PPE kits to the Jharkhand government.
During the raid at the official premises of Keshri, ED officials seized documents related to projects and investments. Keshri owns a construction company NKCPL. He is said to be the brother-in-law of Rajiv Arun Ekka, the principal secretary to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. His office is situated at Oke Forest apartment on Pundag road in Ranchi. Earlier he was a garment seller. Both are doubted to have invested the ill-gotten money by bureaucrats and politicians.
