ED charges PLFI chief, 19 others in Rs 20-cr Naxal funding case

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a supplementary chargesheet before a special PMLA court in Ranchi against Dinesh Gope, the self-styled chief of the banned People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), and 19 others in a Rs 20 crore money-laundering and terror-funding case, officials said on Saturday.The ED probe found that Gope ran a criminal enterprise that extorted money from contractors, transporters and businessmen in Jharkhand and neighbouring states. The agency has traced Rs 3.36 crore of the suspected proceeds of crime so far.

Investigators said Gope laundered the funds through a network of shell companies controlled by his wives, Shakuntala Kumari and Hira Devi, which only existed on paper.

“The extortion cash was deposited in these entities, routed through hawala channels and used to buy high-value assets and luxury vehicles,” an official said.

The ED took up the case based on multiple FIRs and chargesheets filed by the Jharkhand Police and the NIA against Gope for murder, extortion and acts of terror under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The ED arrested Gope in August following an earlier complaint against his associate Nivesh Kumar, who allegedly laundered Rs 4 crore, including Rs 2 crore sent by Gope to procure arms and ammunition for PLFI cadres.

In its latest complaint, the ED has sought prosecution of all 21 accused and confiscation of seized assets, including bank balances, vehicles and cash identified as proceeds of crime.

Officials said further investigation was underway to trace additional beneficiaries and money trails linked to the banned outfit’s extortion network.