By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 17 Dec: Enforcement Directorate teams suddenly arrived at the residence and other properties of Congress leader Rajiv Jain in Dehradun and in Delhi this morning and conducted raids. Rajiv Jain, currently a big property dealer from Dehradun, is considered to be a close aide of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat. In Dehradun, the ED team raided multiple locations associated with Rajiv Jain and his sister. Sources claimed that, in all, 18 ED vehicles were involved in the raids.
Sources also claimed that Income Tax teams similarly raided properties of another property dealer and businessman, Manas Lumba, in Dehradun.
However, later speaking to some media persons, the family members of Rajiv Jain claimed that it was a raid by Income Tax Department not of ED. Usually, Income Tax teams do not arrive with the CISF but take help of the local police. In this case, a CISF team had accompanied the teams raiding the properties of Jain. Some sources further claimed that the raids were conducted by Delhi Unit of Income Tax Department while others claimed that it was a joint raid by Income Tax Department and the ED officials.
The ED/IT first arrived at Rajiv Jain’s house in Rishabh Vihar, Rajiv Juyal Marg at Majra, early this morning. The team questioned family members and scrutinised several documents. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel accompanied the ED/IT teams for security purposes.
Following the raid at Rajiv Jain’s house, ED vehicles also reached his sister’s house and showroom in Majra. The ED’s actions were reported at three locations in Dehradun and also at two properties of Rajiv Jain in Delhi. During the raid, the ED team recovered two trolley bags from inside Rajiv Jain’s house and, in addition, also recovered a large bag from the roof of a neighbouring house, which is believed to contain property papers and transaction documents.
Sources claimed that the raids are linked to some inputs and complaints regarding clandestine property dealings and purchases and money laundering. Rajiv Jain, who has a significant property business in the city, is also being investigated for similar activities in Delhi, where the ED conducted raids at two of his houses.
Some sources also claim that some Congress leaders also close to Harish Rawt are behind the raid. In addition to being a Congress leader, Rajiv Jain has emerged as a prominent realtor in the past decade, particularly during the period between 2014 and 2017. It is claimed that he had also faced raids from Income Tax Department during the Financial Year 2017-18. It may be reminded that, when Harish Rawat was the chief minister, Rajiv Jain used to carry considerable influence with the government and its decisions.
The ED/IT teams continued to search the premises and scrutinise property documents till late afternoon today. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.
