The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has apprehended Subhash Yadav, a close associate of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation related to an alleged illegal sand mining case. Subhash was taken into custody on Saturday night under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the ED conducted raids at various locations in Patna, Bihar.
ED officials reported that Subhash was presented before a special PMLA court on Sunday morning and subsequently placed in Judicial Custody. His arrest followed an interrogation by ED officials, who searched his residence in Patna’s Danapur locality on Saturday morning. Simultaneous raids were conducted at his other residential addresses in Patna.
Sources indicate that the ED officials scrutinized documents pertaining to sand mining activities and other financial transactions involving Subhash before effecting his arrest. On March 9, searches were conducted at six premises in Patna linked to Subhash Yadav, including those of his close associates. The raids resulted in the seizure of cash exceeding 2.30 crores and incriminating documents. Subhash Yadav was taken into custody late at night on March 9.
Subhash is alleged to be involved in the illegal sand mining business in Bihar and is a prominent sand trader in the Patna region. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Broadson Construction Pvt Ltd. The money laundering case originated from FIRs filed by the Bihar Police.
Subhash, an RJD leader, unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Chatra in Jharkhand and is frequently seen alongside Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, and other family members. Two years ago, the ED had previously raided his premises, and the Income Tax Department had conducted raids in 2018 related to a tax evasion case against Subhash.
In a related development, syndicate member Radha Charan Sah, his son, and the directors of BSPL were previously arrested by the ED under PMLA. In February, the ED provisionally attached two immovable properties valued at Rs. 26.19 Crore, acquired by Radha Charan Sah, MLC, Bihar Legislative Council, under PMLA, in connection with a money laundering case against Broadsons Commodities Pvt Ltd.
The ED initiated the investigation based on 19 FIRs registered by the Bihar police under various sections of IPC, 1860, and Bihar Mineral (Concession, Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rule, 2019, against Broadson Commodities Private Limited and others. The investigation under PMLA revealed that proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 161 Crore were generated through the illegal sale of sand, controlled by a syndicate investing funds in the company for profiting from the illicit sand trade.
