The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on financial irregularities in Arunachal Pradesh, seizing approximately ₹2.2 crore in cash during multi-location search operations linked to a major land compensation scam involving the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) project.
The raids, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeted premises connected to alleged irregularities in the assessment, certification, and disbursement of land acquisition compensation for the highway development. The scam reportedly caused a substantial loss of around ₹44 crore to the state exchequer through diversion of funds, issuance of cheques to fake and ineligible beneficiaries, and inclusion of non-existent structures.
Key details from the ED investigation reveal that the project covered a 157.70 km stretch across the Yachuli, Ziro, and Raga sectors, specifically the Potin-Bopi section. Initially, the then Deputy Commissioner of Ziro estimated compensation at ₹289.40 crore, but this was later capped at ₹198.56 crore in a state-level meeting. Despite the freeze, funds were allegedly siphoned off during disbursement, involving collusion between public officials and private individuals.
The searches covered eight locations across the state, including six in and around Itanagar, one in Likabali (Lower Siang district), and one in Aalo (West Siang district, near inter-state and border areas). The cash seizure of ₹2.2 crore was recovered from the premises of one alleged fake beneficiary.
Those under scrutiny include the former Deputy Commissioner of Ziro, officials from the District Land Revenue and Settlement Office (DLRSO), assessment authorities, and several private intermediaries suspected of facilitating the fraud.
This operation underscores the ED’s ongoing efforts to probe money laundering arising from corruption in major infrastructure projects in the Northeast. The agency continues its investigation to trace further proceeds of crime and hold accountable those involved in defrauding public funds meant for land compensation.
Tags: ED Raids, Trans-Arunachal Highway Scam, Arunachal Pradesh News, Land Compensation Fraud, Money Laundering Case, Enforcement Directorate, Highway Project Irregularities, Northeast India Corruption
Hashtags: #EDRaids #TransArunachalHighway #ArunachalPradesh #CompensationScam #MoneyLaundering #EDSeizure #NortheastNews #HighwayScam #CorruptionProbe #ArunachalUpdates
