ED attaches assets of journalist Rajeev Sharma, accused of 'supplying confidential information' to China

The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 48.21 lakh belonging to journalist Rajeev Sharma, who is accused of allegedly selling Indian defence secrets to China.

According to the Hindu, an ED official said: "The attached asset is the residential property in the name of Rajeev Sharma at Pitampura in Delhi. The ED initiated money laundering investigation on the basis of the First Information Report and the chargesheet filed by the Delhi police against him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act."

The Delhi police had arrested Sharma in September 2020. He subsequently got bail.

In July 2021, Sharma was arrested by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. At the time, the ED claimed their investigation had found that Sharma supplied confidential and sensitive information to Chinese intelligence in exchange for money, thus “compromising the security and national interests of India”.

He was later released on bail.

According to the ED, Sharma and his alleged associates received the "hawala" money through shell companies run by Chinese nationals and a Nepali. It further alleged that these companies were conduits for Chinese intelligence to pay “persons like Rajeev Sharma indulged in criminal activities”.

But did Sharma really "sell secrets" to China? And what's his relationship with Ajit Doval? Read Newslaundry's detailed piece to find out.