LUCKNOW: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Allahabad Zonal Office, on Wednesday carried out searches at 11 premises, including nine in Jhansi and two in Lucknow, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation against former Samajwadi Party MLA from Garautha, Deep Narayan Singh Yadav, and his associates under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.The searches were conducted at the residential and business premises of the former legislator, his family members, and entities allegedly linked to him.According to the ED, the operation aims to gather evidence relating to the proceeds of crime, beneficial ownership of assets, financial transactions, and properties allegedly acquired through illicit means.The money laundering case stems from an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) registered on the basis of an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment, which accused the former MLA of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.According to the ED, its preliminary investigation has indicated the alleged generation and laundering of proceeds of crime through a network of companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) engaged in real estate, construction, and other business activities.The agency further stated that the case is linked to more than 23 scheduled offences under the PMLA.Investigators have also taken note of nearly 60 criminal cases allegedly registered against Yadav over the years, including offences such as cheating, forgery, extortion, attempted murder, and dacoity under the Indian Penal Code, the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Goondas Act.During Wednesday’s search operations, ED officials seized and examined various incriminating documents, digital devices, and records relating to movable and immovable properties, as well as financial transactions.The agency said the material recovered is being scrutinised to trace the proceeds of crime and identify individuals allegedly involved in laundering the funds.The searches come days after Uttar Pradesh Police initiated action under the Gangsters Act and attached properties worth approximately ₹130 crore allegedly linked to Deep Narayan Singh Yadav in Jhansi.The attached assets reportedly include several plots of land in Bhagwantpura and Kharguanji.Police records state that more than 50 criminal cases have been registered against the former MLA over the years, including allegations of dacoity, rioting, extortion, and wrongful confinement. He is also facing a vigilance probe into alleged disproportionate assets.The ED said further investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is ongoing.
