The Rise and Fall of Sanjeev Hans: ED’s Investigation Unveils Massive Money Laundering Scheme
In a dramatic turn of events, Sanjeev Hans, a once-respected IAS officer from Bihar, has found himself at the centre of an extensive money laundering investigation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 23.72 crore allegedly linked to Hans and his associates, signaling a high-profile crackdown on corruption within Bihar’s bureaucratic corridors.
Hans, who had served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited, now faces arrest and charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED has laid bare an intricate network of illicit wealth and money laundering activities that extend across multiple cities and jurisdictions. The investigation reveals that Hans used his position to amass illegal wealth, laundering proceeds of crime through various financial schemes.
ED’s Investigation: Properties Seized and Financial Irregularities Exposed
In its latest move, the ED has provisionally attached seven immovable properties, including land parcels in Nagpur, a flat in Delhi, and several flats in Jaipur. These properties are allegedly held in the names of Hans’s close associates, including Praveen Chaudhary, Pushpraj Bajaj, and members of Bajaj’s family. Investigators claim that these assets were purchased using “proceeds of crime” generated from Hans’s corrupt practices while in various influential roles between 2018 and 2023.
The properties were allegedly registered under the names of Hans’s associates to conceal the true ownership, a common tactic employed in money laundering schemes to evade detection. This move is part of the ED’s wider investigation, which seeks to unearth the full extent of Hans’s involvement in financial irregularities during his tenure in key positions within the Bihar government.
How Corruption in the Power Sector Fueled Hans’s Rise
Sanjeev Hans, once regarded as a powerful bureaucrat, held significant authority in the Bihar power sector. As the principal secretary of the state’s energy department and later the CMD of the Bihar State Power Holding Company, Hans wielded substantial influence over the state’s energy policies, contracts, and projects. His tenure was marked by close ties with private entities and influential individuals, which allegedly played a central role in his illicit activities.
The ED’s investigation has focused heavily on Hans’s time in the energy sector, with investigators claiming that this period laid the foundation for his growing network of corrupt dealings. It was during this time that Hans is accused of orchestrating deals that funneled massive amounts of money into his pockets through illicit means, including kickbacks and bribes.
The Turning Point: The Rape Case That Led to the ED Investigation
The fall of Sanjeev Hans began not with financial irregularities but with a rape case filed in January 2023. A woman lawyer accused Hans and former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Gulab Yadav of sexual assault, blackmail, and coercion. Though the Patna High Court eventually quashed the FIR, the case prompted the ED to dig deeper into Hans’s financial dealings, uncovering far graver offences in the process.
On October 18, 2023, Hans and Yadav were arrested for alleged money laundering under PMLA, marking the culmination of a months-long investigation into the corrupt practices that had been allowed to thrive unchecked.
A Web of Financial Irregularities: The Scale of the Operation
The ED’s probe revealed a highly sophisticated money laundering operation, with Hans at the centre. Investigators uncovered newly opened Demat accounts holding shares worth Rs 60 crore, which were cleverly disguised to avoid detection. These accounts, linked to family members of Hans’s associates, were intentionally kept inactive to remain under the radar.
In addition to the Demat accounts, the ED froze 70 bank accounts believed to have been used to circulate and park illicit funds. Suspicious deposits totalling Rs 6 crore were traced to these accounts, revealing the staggering scale of the operation. Further searches across various cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Patna, uncovered luxury goods, gold jewellery, luxury watches, and unexplained cash.
Among the seized items were 13 kilos of silver bullion, gold jewellery valued at Rs 1.25 crore, and Rs 1.07 crore in cash. Foreign currency worth Rs 20 lakh was also found, further pointing to the international dimension of the laundering operation.
The Irony of Hans’s Fall: A Former Bureaucrat Now Behind Bars
Hans’s rise to power was marked by his influence over critical state functions, especially in the energy sector. As principal secretary of the energy department, he controlled vital decisions that shaped the state’s energy policies, making him a central figure in the state’s bureaucracy. His position, along with a fleet of official vehicles and a team of assistants, made him a powerful czar-like figure in Bihar.
However, the once-untouchable bureaucrat now finds himself in Beur Central Jail, charged with corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power. The fall of Sanjeev Hans serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked power can be exploited for personal gain, leading to a dramatic and public downfall.
The Broader Implications: A Call for Stronger Oversight
Hans’s case underscores the need for robust institutional oversight within India’s bureaucratic machinery. Despite the checks and balances in place, his alleged activities remained hidden for years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of internal monitoring systems. It was only due to the relentless scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate that these illicit activities came to light.
As the investigation continues, questions about accountability within India’s public institutions will come to the forefront. The Hans case highlights the potential for abuse within the system, pointing to the urgent need for stricter controls, transparency, and accountability measures to prevent such abuses in the future.
Conclusion: The Case of Sanjeev Hans and the Fight Against Corruption
The fall of Sanjeev Hans serves as a cautionary tale for those in positions of power. It highlights how easily authority can be misused and the devastating consequences that follow. With the Enforcement Directorate’s ongoing investigation, the case has the potential to uncover even more layers of corruption, shedding light on the deep-rooted challenges facing India’s governance systems.
As Hans’s legal battles unfold, his case will undoubtedly remain a symbol of the fight against corruption, money laundering, and the misuse of power in the Indian bureaucracy.