The Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Jharkhand rural development minister and Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam on May 14 in connection with the probe into alleged money laundering linked to the “tender-commission” scam.

ED sources at Ranchi regional office said that the summons is in connection with the probe into the money laundering after the arrest of the minister’s personal secretary (PS) Sanjiv Lal who has been suspended by the state government and the PS’s domestic help Jahangir Alam last Monday following raids which led to the seizure of cash over ₹34.50 crore in
cash. Both are under judicial custody.

Alamgir Alam responded to the call made by the reporter and said that he would be attending the ED summons. Alam represents the Pakur Assembly constituency (in the Santhal Pargana region).

However, the leader last week while speaking to The Telegraph had denied
any role in the money laundering.

“I have no idea about the cash seizure. However, the PS is a government servant and is selected based on his experience. In my case we selected him as he had served under two senior BJP cabinet ministers in the past,” Alam had said.

Significantly, while seeking the PS and domestic help remand in a special PMLA court in Ranchi last week, the agency has submitted that names of senior bureaucrats and politicians have emerged as part of the probe.

The agency also alleged that “officials from top to bottom” of the rural development department were involved in a money laundering nexus.