Indian Enforcement Directorate scandal: Official arrested in multi-crore bribery scheme

Corruption scandal rocks Indian Enforcement Directorate: Arrest of official unveils bribery scheme

In a shocking turn of events, an official from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over allegations of accepting bribes totaling Rs 5 crore (approximately $670,000 USD). The official, Pawan Khatri, held the position of Assistant Director in the ED and stands accused of receiving illicit payments from businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall, a key figure in the Delhi excise policy case.

Bribery scheme unveiled: ED official and businessman implicated

The scandal unfolded when the CBI responded to a complaint filed by the ED itself against Pawan Khatri and Nitesh Kohar, another official at the ED. These individuals, along with others including Deepak Sangwan, an Air India employee, and businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall, were allegedly involved in a complex bribery scheme.

According to the ED's account, it was discovered that Dhall and another individual, Birender Pal Singh, had provided Rs 5 crore to Praveen Kumar Vats, a chartered accountant. This payment was made between December 2022 and January 2023 with the aim of obtaining assistance in navigating the ongoing investigation into the Delhi excise policy case.

Elaborate Sequence of Bribes Unveiled

In a meticulously detailed sequence, it was revealed that Praveen Vats played a pivotal role in orchestrating the bribery process. Deepak Sangwan assured Vats that he could secure protection from Dhall's potential arrest in exchange for monetary compensation. Sangwan introduced Vats to Pawan Khatri in December 2022, who was an ED official.

Vats then proceeded to collect Rs 3 crore from Dhall in installments of Rs 50 lakh each between December 2022 and January 2023. Following Sangwan's suggestion that an additional Rs 2 crore was necessary to potentially remove Dhall's name from the list of accused individuals, Vats collected this amount in four transactions of Rs 50 lakh each.

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Significantly, Vats disclosed that a portion of the funds received from Dhall's father was given as an advance to both Sangwan and Khatri. This illicit transaction took place in mid-December 2022 in a discreet location.

Despite assurances, Dhall was arrested by the ED on March 1, 2023. In the aftermath, Vats was informed by Sangwan that the decision for the arrest had come from higher authorities and was beyond his control.

Seizures and probes: Uncovering the extent of the scheme

Upon learning of the suspected bribes, the ED initiated an investigation. Searches were conducted at the residences of the accused individuals, leading to the discovery of incriminating evidence. Notably, Rs 2.19 crore in cash and diamond jewelry worth Rs 1.94 crore were found at Praveen Vats's residence. Additionally, substantial sums were identified in his bank account.

Luxury cars were also seized from Vats's home, further highlighting the magnitude of the operation. Interestingly, the two implicated ED officials, Khatri and Kohar, were not part of the team investigating the excise policy scam. Their alleged extortion plan, aimed at extracting Rs 30 crore from Dhall, underscores the audacity of the scheme.

As the CBI conducts its searches and investigations, this scandal sheds light on the intersection of corruption and power within certain sectors of India's enforcement and regulatory agencies. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against graft and the imperative to uphold integrity within public service.

In conclusion, the arrest of an ED official and the subsequent unraveling of a bribery network have rocked the Indian law enforcement landscape. The intricate sequence of payments and complicit individuals demonstrates the audacity of corruption schemes that undermine the principles of justice and accountability. This incident underscores the necessity of continuous efforts to eradicate corruption and uphold transparency across all levels of governance.

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