Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], January 29 (HBTV): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized INR 31 lakh, incriminating documents, and digital devices during searches at nine locations linked to former Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav in a money laundering probe involving the embezzlement of MLA-LAD funds for substandard sports equipment, the agency said.

According to an official statement, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jaipur Zonal Office, seized cash amounting to INR 31 lakh, incriminating records, and various digital devices during search operations at nine locations in Jaipur, Dausa (Rajasthan), and Rewari (Haryana). The searches covered the premises of Baljeet Yadav, ex-MLA from Behror constituency, Alwar district, Rajasthan, and his related persons and entities under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The search operations were conducted on January 24 in connection with a money laundering investigation related to the MLA-LAD fund scam in the purchase of sports equipment for schools, the statement said.

Further, the statement noted that the ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by the ACB, Jaipur, under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), IPC, 1860, and the Rajasthan Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 2012.

The FIR was registered based on information shared by the ED under Section 66(2) of PMLA, 2002.

The ED investigation revealed that Baljeet Yadav recommended the purchase of sports equipment for 32 schools under his constituency, the statement added.

According to the agency, tenders were awarded to favoured entities created in the names of the ex-MLA’s associates, namely M/s Balaji Complete Solution Pvt Ltd, M/s Surya Enterprises, M/s Rajput Sports Enterprises, and M/s Sharma Sports Enterprises, flouting various norms.

The sports equipment supplied to the schools was found to be of inferior quality and was provided at highly inflated prices. Further, the MLA-LAD funds paid to these entities were diverted to the relatives and associates of Baljeet Yadav for his wrongful gains.

As per ED officials, the raids were part of an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of MLA funds under the guise of supplying sports equipment to schools. The ED’s action followed claims of financial misappropriation in connection with these supplies.

Yadav, who was an independent MLA from Rajasthan’s Behror, is accused of supplying substandard sports equipment to schools.

Further investigation is underway.