Lucknow/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted Thursday multiple searches across various states in connection with its money laundering probe into the Rs 1,500-crore Gomti riverfront development project in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, official sources said. The project was begun by the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) dispensation.
Sources said the raids were being carried out in various premises of the accused and their associates in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Noida), Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan by a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials assisted by local police. The teams are looking for documents and evidence, they said.
The CBI had filed a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in March last year. The ED was brought into the fold after taking cognisance of a CBI FIR.
The CBI had taken over the investigation after the present Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in UP ordered an inquiry into the beautification project of the Gomti riverfront. It had asked for an investigation into irregularities committed with a ‘criminal intent’ in the implementation of the ‘Gomti River Channelisation Project’ and the ‘Gomti River Front Development’ by the state’s department of irrigation.
The CBI had filed an FIR against then chief engineers Gulesh Chandra, SN Sharma, Qazim Ali, then superintendent engineers Mangal Yadav, Akhil Raman, Kamaleshwar Singh, Roop Singh Yadav and executive engineer Surendra Yadav. Among the accused Gulesh, Mangal, Akhil and Roop have retired.
The Rs 1,500-crore project involved construction of a rubber dam to maintain its water level, a stadium, an amphitheatre for 2,000 people, cycle and jogging tracks, a play area for children and a musical fountain.
PTI
