Ex-Jharkhand minister convicted in PMLA case

Ranchi, March 22 (IANS) A Special court here has convicted Anosh Ekka, former cabinet minister in the Jharkhand government in connection with a money laundering case.The court found Ekka guilty of offences of Money Laundering to the tune of Rs 20,31,77,852 under section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)."During the course investigations under PMLA immovable assets and movable assets amounting to Rs 20.3 crore involved in money laundering were identified and were attached under PMLA," a statement from the financial watchdogs said.Initially Prosecution Complaint was filed against Hari Narayan Rai and Anosh Ekka jointly filed before the court in 2009.Subsequently after further investigations supplementary prosecution complaints were filed against accused Anosh Ekka for offences of money laundering.The case emerged from an FIR registered by the Vigilance Bureau in 2008 for misusing his official position and power being a public servant and acquired huge movable and immovable properties.Ekka was accused of commission of offence punishable under sections 406, 409, 420, 423, 424, 465 and 120B of IPC and section 11/13(2) and 13(1)(e) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
--IANS anb/sdr/