ED conducts raids against BSP Chief Mayawati

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities of over Rs 111 crore in the construction of memorials in Uttar Pradesh during BSP Chief Mayawati’s tenure.

According to PTI, the central probe agency has filed a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to investigate these instances after taking cognisance of a state vigilance department complaint of 2014.

“The raids are currently being conducted at seven places and those include premises of some officials and other private people,” said ED officials.

The vigilance complaint was filed under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act and pertains to the alleged financial irregularities in the construction of memorials—including statues of BSP founder Kanshi Ram as well as the party’s poll symbol, the elephant, during Mayawati’s regime between 2007 and 2012.

It was alleged that the said act “resulted in the loss of over Rs 111,44,35,066 to the government exchequer and unlawful gain to public servants and private individuals”.

According to the PTI release, the state government headed by Mayawati had built the memorials, statues and parks at an incurred cost of more than Rs 2,600 crore in Lucknow, Noida and a couple of other places in the state.

Earlier this month, the ED had also raided several locations in regards to a money laundering case, booked to probe illegal mining in the state, which has links to former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.