The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 14.32 crore of Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti Limited (SMVSSL) and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case relating to embezzlement of Government funds.

The attached assets includes 20 flats at Noida, Ghaziabad, Pune, Ranchi, Bhagalpur and  Patna, 19 Shops at Noida, Ghaziabad and Bhagalpur, 33 Plots/Houses in Bihar, a Volkswagen Car and available balances in bank accounts amounting to Rs 4.84 crore. Probe under PMLA has revealed that during 2003-04 onwards funds to the tune of Rs.557 crores have been siphoned off from the Government accounts after being illegally transferred to the bank accounts of SMVSSL

The ED initiated investigation under PMLA against SMVSSL and others under PMLA on the basis of FIR registered by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for commission of offences under Indian Penal Code Sections relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery besides provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Late Manorma Devi was the Secretary of the society SMVSSL since its inception till her death on February 13, 2017.

“She was the main accused, who along with others was involved in misappropriating the Government funds in collusion with Government officials and bank officials.” the ED said in a statement.

The money so transferred into the bank accounts of the SMVSSL was further transferred through RTGS/Cash/Cheques to various entities. These illegally transferred funds were also utilised to acquire properties in the name of family members of Manorma Devi, Government officials and others, the agency said.

“Accordingly Provisional Attachment Order under PMLA was issued attaching assets totaling to Rs 14.32 crore,” it added.