The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Prosecution Complaint (chargesheet in police parlance) against Gujarat cadre IAS officer Kankipati Rajesh Md. Rafiq Memon before the Special PMLA Court, Ahmedabad on money laundering charges linked to a corruption case.
The court has taken cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint, the ED said.
The ED had initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI’s Economic Offences-III wing, New Delhi against Kankipati Rajesh and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Information Technology Act and Prevention of Corruption Act. The ED probe revealed that K Rajesh used to demand and accept illegal gratifications from the general public in lieu of discharging his official duties. In this way, he generated proceeds of crime and further utilized part of proceeds of crime in acquisition of immovable properties, the ED said in a statement.
During the course of investigation, K Rajesh was arrested by ED on August 6 under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Through an order of the Special PMLA Court, Kankipati Rajesh was in remand of ED till August 12. Presently, he is undergoing judicial custody.
On October 3, the ED had also attached assets worth Rs 1.55 crore in form of two immovable properties situated at Surat, bank balance and fixed deposits of accused under provisions of PMLA. PNS
Further investigation in the case is in progress, it added.