AGARTALA:
In a significant development in the Rs 600 crore PWD scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated investigation against former Tripura PWD minister and deputy leader of the opposition Badal Chowdhury, the then chief secretary Yaspal Singh, and former chief engineer of PWD department Sunil Bhowmik under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The ED has booked a total of six persons in connection with the case.
“This office has initiated an investigation under the provision of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 against Badal Chowdhury, Sunil Bhowmik, Yashpal Singh and their wives,” read a letter undersigned by Vikas Phogat, assistant director Agartala Sub-Zonal Office Enforcement Directorate, read.
In the letter, the undersigned also requested the directorate of land records and settlement, sub divisional magistrates and sub-registrars of Jirania, Sadar, and Belonia sub-divisions to furnish copies of sale deeds, gift deeds, lease deed, etc, of any immovable property registered in the name of the six accused persons.
Chowdhury, Bhowmik, and Singh were earlier arrested by Tripura Police’s Crime Branch unit for their involvement in a Rs 600 crore scam, however, the crime branch failed to file the charge sheet till date. The ED, on the other hand, took up the case on February 4 and had requested their property details.