The Enforcement Directorate (ED) made a late-night arrest of Subhash Yadav, a trusted ally of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, in a money laundering case connected to the purportedly illicit sand mining operations in Bihar. Subhash Yadav was brought before the court on Sunday morning and was remanded to judicial custody. He is scheduled for appearance in a special Patna court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Monday, as per PTI reports. The crackdown on Lalu Prasad’s aide unfolded when ED seized approximately ₹2.3 crore in cash during raids at several properties of Yadav and his cohorts across the state.
Understanding the Sand Mining Scam
An investigation into the ‘illegal’ sand mining scandal was initiated following the registration of 20 FIRs by Bihar Police against Broadsons Commodities Pvt. Ltd. (BCPL) and its executives, accusing them of partaking in under-the-table sand extraction and distribution without adhering to e-challans. The ED’s findings suggest that the illicit activities amassed criminal proceeds amounting to ₹161 crore. The ED further alleges that a syndicate controlling the unauthorized sand trade invested in BCPL, reaping profits through the unlawful sale of sand.
In a development last year, ED arrested Bihar MLC and JD(U) member Radha Charan Sah, his son Kanhaiya Prasad, and BCPL’s directors Mithilesh Kumar Singh, Baban Singh, and Surendra Kumar Jindal. The implicated individuals were charged before a special PMLA court in Patna in November 2023 and are presently detained awaiting trial.
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RJD’s Retaliation Against BJP
Meanwhile, RJD representative Rishi Mishra directed criticism towards BJP for the ED’s actions against Subhash Yadav. Mishra suggested, “BJP appears to have lost faith in its own cadre. It appears that the party has come to the realization that they are unable to secure votes conventionally, hence putting their complete reliance on the ED, CBI, and Income Tax department,” as reported by PTI.
