The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple locations in Jharkhand as part of an ongoing alleged illegal sand mining and extortion linked money laundering investigation against former Minister Yogendra Sao and his family members, official sources said. The raids were conducted at Sao residences and also his daughter and former MLA Amba Prasad ‘s residences.
At least eight premises in Hazaribag and Ranchi were raided since early morning. The action is being undertaken as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.
The raids pertain to an ongoing probe into allegations that substantial proceeds of crime were generated through activities such as extortion, illegal sand mining, and land grabbing, the sources said.
One ED team was deployed at Kishoreganj on Harmu Road in Ranchi, while another conducted raids in Barkagaon, Hazaribagh. The raids are linked to an investigation into the RCTC coal transportation case. Residences of Amba Prasad’s close aides—personal assistant Sanjeev Sahu, Manoj Dangi, and Pancham Kumar—were also searched.
This is not the first time the ED has taken action in this case. On March 18, 2024, the agency had raided several premises associated with Amba Prasad in Hazaribagh. Today’s raid comes months after the ED conducted a similar crackdown between March 12 and March 14 this year, targeting Amba Prasad, her father, and former Minister Yogendra Sao, brother Ankit Raj, and several other relatives and associates.
During those raids, the agency had seized Rs 35 lakh in cash, digital devices, fake stamps of banks and government offices, handwritten receipts, diaries, and other incriminating documents.
Officials believe that the current searches are based on evidence and leads gathered during the earlier raids. The ED is now closely examining documents related to financial transactions, land deals, and mining activities.
Ten companies reportedly registered in the names of Amba Prasad and her family members are under scrutiny.
Earlier, the ED had questioned Amba Prasad, her father Yogendra Sao, and her brother Ankit Raj at its zonal office in Ranchi in connection with the same case.
Amba Prasad was elected to the Jharkhand Assembly from Barkagaon in 2019 on a Congress ticket. Her parents -- Yogendra Sao and Nirmala Devi -- have also represented the same constituency in the past.
