Former ED official Niranjan Singh objects to videos of PMLA accused on AAP handles

Former Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Niranjan Singh has written to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, objecting to the use of interview clips of persons accused of money laundering on social media pages of ruling AAP.

The former ED officer has said that he was especially miffed as the accused or undertrials were seen questioning security provided to him while commenting on the arrest of Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case.

"When the clips of such interviews are shared on the social media pages of the AAP, it is giving the impression that these convicts or undertrials were being protected to target and endanger my security," he said.

Niranjan Singh has been referring to interviews of Bittu Aulakh, who had been convicted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and Jagjit Chahal, against whom the trial is under progress.

The retired officer has requested CM Mann "to take appropriate action in the matter to ensure that those convicted or facing trial do not succeed in their nefarious intentions". He has got sent the same copy to the DGP Punjab too for action.

Niranjan Singh had been investigating the cases of international drug trafficking in Punjab in the ED under the PMLA. As the investigation was being monitored by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it had ordered the Punjab Government on September 15, 2014, to provide security to him as the persons to be investigated were part of a big drug racket.

The idea was to ensure confidence and safety of the IO to work fearlessly while conducting the investigations.