Money laundering: ED files plaint against former Jalandhar sub-postmaster

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 24

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint against former Jalandhar Sub-Postmaster Sanjeev Kumar and others before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mohali, alleging their involvement in embezzlement of public funds running into several crores.

The complaint was filed on November 21, following detailed investigations into large-scale fraud and money laundering linked to the manipulation of postal savings accounts. The probe was initiated on the basis of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR accusing Sanjeev Kumar and his associates of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption during his tenure.

The findings by the ED officials so far have revealed a sophisticated modus operandi, involving the creation of fake accounts, falsification of entries and diversion of deposits belonging to unsuspecting customers. ED sleuths have said Kumar allegedly opened 54 fake savings accounts, causing a loss of Rs 3.4 crore to the government exchequer. He also allegedly manipulated entries in 41 savings accounts, leading to an additional loss of Rs 2.79 crore, and tampered with 51 recurring deposit accounts, resulting in a further Rs 1.89 crore loss.

In total, the ED estimates that Kumar fraudulently withdrew Rs 8.48 crore in government funds through cash transactions and multiple bank accounts controlled by him and his associates.

“Through the criminal activities, the accused persons generated huge proceeds of crime and utilised the same in maintaining a lavish lifestyle, splurged in gambling, personal expenditure and purchase of immovable properties,” the ED said.

“Further, Sanjeev Kumar opened multiple accounts in the name of Sajni Bala and Kewal Krishan and used and controlled these accounts to launder the generated proceeds,” it further read.