The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has begun proceedings to confiscate properties linked to organised land and sand mafia networks across the state, after identifying assets worth over Rs 54 crore allegedly acquired through land grabbing, illegal mining and money laundering.
EOU Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manjit Singh Dhillon said proposals have been sent to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) seeking attachment of properties belonging to eight land mafia networks and 12 individuals allegedly involved in illegal sand mining.
The action followed detailed financial investigations that allegedly revealed systematic acquisition of assets through illegal means.
“We have sent eight proposals related to land mafia cases and recommended attachment of properties of 12 individuals involved in illegal sand mining. The evidence points to organised criminal activity and laundering of proceeds through multiple channels,” Dhillon said.
According to the EOU’s assessment, properties linked to land mafia cases alone are valued at around Rs 39.79 crore. The cases involve allegations of illegal land occupation, procurement of property using forged and fabricated documents, and routing of illicit funds through criminal networks.
Those named in the land mafia proposals include Pinku Yadav alias Tinku Yadav of Danapur, brother of former RJD MLA from Danapur Ritlal Yadav. Both are currently in judicial custody for allegedly demanding Rs 50 lakh from a builder and issuing death threats.
“The investigations have revealed that several of the accused used forged documents, benami arrangements and criminal networks to acquire and legitimise properties,” Dhillon said.
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Simultaneously, the EOU has identified assets worth around Rs 15.09 crore linked to 12 alleged sand mafias accused of illegal mining that caused significant losses to government revenue. According to the EOU, they were involved in unauthorised sand extraction, organised illegal transportation and sale, and accumulation of proceeds through criminal enterprises.
The proposals will be examined by the Enforcement Directorate under the PMLA. Officials said the ED is expected to register Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs), akin to FIRs, examine the financial trail and linked assets, and initiate attachment proceedings as per law.
Dhillon said the move focuses on identifying proceeds of crime and ensuring that properties acquired through illegal activities are brought under the ambit of the law.
The action is part of a broader enforcement drive by the EOU. Recently, re-nominated Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha warned that strict action would be taken against land and sand mafias and that such illegal activities would not be tolerated.
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In a separate case, the EOU has also initiated proceedings against Bhavesh Kumar Singh, a development officer of the Pataliputra Central Co-operative Bank, after verification revealed he had allegedly acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
