ED raids ex-SP MLA Deep Narayan Singh Yadav’s premises in Lko, Jhansi

Jhansi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday morning conducted simultaneous searches at multiple premises in Jhansi and Lucknow linked to former two-time Samajwadi Party MLA Deep Narayan Singh Yadav.The raids were carried out against Yadav as well as his associates as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.The searches were led by the Allahabad Zonal Office of the ED under Section 17 of the PMLA based on an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered on the basis of an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment.The case relates to allegations that the former Garautha legislator amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.One of the key searches was carried out at Yadav’s Moon City residence in Jhansi, where ED officials, accompanied by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted an extensive search.In addition, teams raided a hotel owned by a builder and a couple of residences of Yadav’s close associates in the city, accompanied by paramilitary personnel.According to the ED, its preliminary investigation has indicated that the proceeds of crime were allegedly generated and laundered through a network of companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) engaged in real estate, construction and other business activities.

The agency said the investigation also covers allegations linked to more than 23 scheduled offences registered against the former legislator under various laws, which form the basis for proceedings under the PMLA.Simultaneous raids were also conducted at the premises of his close associate, Ashok Goswami, in Jhansi.Goswami is considered a close confidant of the former MLA, and properties allegedly linked to him and worth several crores had recently been attached by the district administration in separate proceedings.The official release mentioned that several incriminating documents, digital devices and records relating to movable and immovable assets, financial transactions and business entities were recovered during the searches.These are being scrutinised to trace the proceeds of crime and identify individuals allegedly involved in laundering the funds.The ED also referred to earlier action by the Jhansi police and district administration, under which properties worth several crores allegedly belonging to Yadav had been attached in separate criminal proceedings.Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the UP government of orchestrating raids against his party members. In a post on X, he wrote, “They should conduct raids in Karnataka and Maharashtra, but they are carrying them out in UP, where there is CC (chanda chori) booty. They are not going there and are merely completing formalities in the name of an investigation.”