ED Raids IAS Officers in Corruption Investigation
Patna, Bihar
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted a raid at the home of IAS officer Sanjiv Hans, who serves as the Chief Secretary of the Bihar Energy Department, in a case concerning disproportionate assets.
Earlier Raids in Jharkhand
Earlier this week, the ED raided 20 locations in Ranchi, Jharkhand, targeting IAS officer Manish Ranjan, Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Mithlesh Thakur, and their associates. These raids are part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Details of the Investigation
The ED’s search operations included the premises of IAS Manish Ranjan, Vinay Thakur (brother of Mithlesh Thakur), and Harendra Singh, among others. The raids also involved government officials, contractors, and businessmen. Several documents and electronic devices were seized.
Background of the Case
The investigation stems from complaints of corruption and discrepancies in the Jal Jeevan Mission’s implementation across various districts in Jharkhand. FIRs have been filed in several cases, and the ED is expanding its probe based on these reports.
Doubts Revealed
ED -: ED stands for the Directorate of Enforcement. It is a government agency in India that investigates financial crimes like money laundering and corruption.
IAS Officers -: IAS stands for Indian Administrative Service. IAS officers are important government officials in India who help run the country by managing different departments and implementing policies.
Sanjiv Hans -: Sanjiv Hans is an IAS officer who works as the Chief Secretary of the Bihar Energy Department. He is being investigated for having more money and assets than he should, which is called a disproportionate assets case.
Manish Ranjan -: Manish Ranjan is another IAS officer who is being investigated for corruption related to the Jal Jeevan Mission, a government program aimed at providing safe drinking water to people.
Disproportionate Assets -: Disproportionate assets refer to having more money and property than what one can legally earn. It often suggests that the person might have acquired wealth through illegal means.
Jal Jeevan Mission -: The Jal Jeevan Mission is a government initiative in India that aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to every household in rural areas by 2024.
FIR -: FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a document prepared by the police when they receive information about a crime, marking the beginning of an investigation.