New Delhi [India]: The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 246 crore under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in connection with the Gutkha scam.
Attached properties consist of 174 immovable properties situated in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh, with a market value of Rs 243.80 crore and moveable properties in the form of shares and vehicles worth Rs 2.29 crore, read a statement.
The investigative agency initiated investigations under the provisions of PMLA in the Gutkha scam against unknown officials of state and central government, public servants and others based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The CBI had registered FIR on the directions of the Madras High Court to conduct investigations into all aspects of the offence of illegal manufacture, import, supply, distribution and sale of Gutkha and other chewable tobacco which were banned in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with effect from May 2013, the statement read.
Investigation under PMLA revealed that accused A.V.Madhava Rao, P.V.Srinivasa Rao, Tallam Uma Shankar Gupta and others had associated in illegal manufacture, sale and distribution of Gutkha products in Tamil Nadu had a turnover of Rs 639.40 crores from June 2013 to June 2016 and the ill-gotten money derived out of the criminal activities were invested in moveable and immoveable properties in Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, the statement added.
“The criminal activity related to the payment of bribes to the central and state government officials as quid pro quo for allowing the illegal business of Gutkha and other tobacco products which are banned in the Tamil Nadu. The criminal activity is related to the scheduled offence under PMLA and therefore, the properties acquired by means of illegal manufacture and sale of Gutkha resulting from such criminal activity were consequently liable for attachment,” the statement said.
In further investigation, it was revealed that investments made by the accused were inland purchased in the name of Gayathri Realtors, Medha Dairy Private Limited, Vaijayanthi Spinners, etc. sourced through cash generated out of the sale proceeds of the illegal Gutkha business, the statement read.
“Three factory premises were also acquired by the accused in the names of relatives/employees during the period to facilitate smooth running of their illegal Gutkha business. Further, out of the profits of Gutkha business, personal investments were made by accused persons by purchase of land in their name and in the name of family members/relatives. Besides, shares were purchased in Goutham Buddha Textile Park, Guntur and vehicles were purchased for the sale and distribution of Gutkha products. The major investments in real estate made by the accused were in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh apart from investments in Salem, Puducherry and Chennai. These assets consist of 174 immovable properties and moveable properties totalling to Rs.246 Crores have been provisionally attached under PMLA,” the statement added.
Further investigation in the case is underway.