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Bhubaneswar: Carrying out an investigation into a mining scam in Odisha, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized Rs 30 lakh and 2 kg gold bullion worth Rs 1.24 crore.
As per official sources, ED conducted search operations under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at 12 locations in Bhubaneswar, Barbil, Rourkela, and Kolkata at the premises of M/s Deepak Steel & Power Ltd., M/s Snehapusph Marketing (P) Ltd., other associated companies/ entities, their directors and chartered accountant to trace and unearth the proceeds of crime relating to iron ore mining scam in Joda of Odisha’s Keonjhar district.
The agency initiated investigation on the basis of chargesheets filed by Vigilance Department, Odisha Police against M/s Deepak Steel & Power Ltd., M/s Snehapusph Marketing Pvt. Ltd., Deepak Gupta, Hari Charan Gupta and others.
ED investigation revealed that the proceeds of crime generated from the business of illegal mining were layered through multiple shell companies based in Kolkata and Barbil having dummy directors.
During the search operation, Rs 30 lakh, 2 kg gold bullion worth Rs 1.24 crore, a Volvo XC40 car of 2020 registration year, property documents, digital devices and incriminating documents were seized. A freezing order was also issued to two banks, freezing a balance of Rs 1.23 crore in six bank accounts related to the directors of accused companies, the ED said in a release.
A PAO attaching movable and immovable properties to the tune of Rs 379 crore was earlier issued in this case, the agency added.
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