Jaipur: The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged financial irregularities in Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), based on an FIR lodged at Jyoti Nagar police station in Jaipur.BJP MLA Jaideep Bihani, former convenor of RCA ad hoc committee, had filed the FIR in August 2024 against former RCA office-bearers Bhawani Samota, Rampal Sharma, and Rajesh Bhadana. The ED has now registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and begun its probe.The FIR was registered under IPC Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), and 120B (criminal conspiracy). It alleged that contracts were awarded to favoured firms without due diligence or assessment of credentials. One such firm, reportedly in the garment business, was paid Rs1.4 crore for business consultancy services.“We have initiated investigations after registering a PMLA case. It is too early to comment much on the developments. Our team is on the job of collecting various data and information related to the case,” said an ED officer.According to sources, the ED has taken cognisance of the FIR as well as developments in the ongoing police investigation in Jaipur.“There are many instances of financial irregularities mentioned in the FIR, including the awarding of a contract to a construction firm for renovation, repair, and event management of the Sawai Man Singh Stadium during the India versus New Zealand match,” said an ED officer.“Initially, tenders were invited for the work, but the original bidders were side-lined, and the contract was given to a favoured firm. Our job is to probe the money laundering angle in the case,” the officer added.ED officials, however, refrained from disclosing further details, including who has been summoned for questioning. “We are investigating the case. At this juncture, nothing much can be shared,” the officer said.
