ED Nabs Harsh Yadav for Illegal Seizure of $1 Million Property Linked to Drug Trafficking
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi 14, September, 2024
In a significant crackdown, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) apprehended Harsh Yadav, son of Rajesh Yadav, on September 11, 2024, in a high-profile case involving the illegal possession of a property valued at Rs. 85.60 lakh. The property, located at No. 343, Tower-B3, 3rd Floor, Spaze-I, Tech Park, Sector-49, Gurugram, had been previously attached by the ED due to its connection with proceeds of crime tied to illicit drug trafficking orchestrated by Amit Kumar, Archana Sharma, and their associates.
Harsh Yadav was reportedly aware that the property was directly linked to criminal activities. The Additional Sessions Judge in Gurugram has granted the ED custody of Yadav for five days as part of the ongoing investigation.
The ED’s inquiry stemmed from a criminal complaint and chargesheet filed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi, under various sections of the NDPS Act of 1985 against Amit Kumar, Sanjay Singh, Archana Sharma, and the company M/s Zatak Softech Pvt. Ltd. (M/s ZSPL). The investigation uncovered that Kumar operated an internet pharmacy exporting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances to the USA and other countries under the guise of his other firm, M/s Farma Glow. Authorities have seized significant quantities of narcotics, 17 forged rubber stamps, and incriminating documents, including a list of 57 websites and an order list of psychotropic substances. The total proceeds of crime amount to Rs. 23.32 crore.
Kumar used these illicit gains to acquire various real estate properties, seven of which have been attached by the ED, totaling Rs. 5.73 crore. Despite the property at Spaze-I being sealed by the ED, it was unlawfully unsealed and taken over by Harsh Yadav, who then falsely rented it out under a rental agreement in his mother Babita Yadav’s name.
A search of Yadav’s residence led to the recovery of further incriminating evidence, including documents that appear to be forged. Additionally, Harsh Yadav faces another FIR filed by the Gurugram Police for offenses including forgery and counterfeiting of coins, currency, and government stamps.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities delve deeper into the case.
