Dehradun, Aug 1 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 63.30 lakh in connection with the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) examination paper leak scam, an official said on Saturday.
The ED’s Dehradun Sub Zonal Office, provisionally attached movable and immovable properties under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the central probe agency said in a statement.
The ED initiated investigation under PMLA on the basis of FIR registered by Raipur Police Station in Dehradun, regarding the leak of the UKSSSC Graduate Level (VDO/VPDO) Examination, 2021.
The federal probe agency’s action was also linked to the FIR registered by Vigilance Sector in Dehradun, relating to irregularities in the Village Development Officer/ Village Panchayat Development Officer Examination, 2016.
The ED investigation revealed that an organised syndicate comprising Hakam Singh Rawat, employees of RMS Techno Solutions Private Limited (printing agency for exam), public servants, middlemen and facilitators dishonestly leaked confidential question papers, manipulated the examination process and collected huge sums of money from candidates.
“The leaked papers were distributed to candidates through a network of intermediaries in exchange for substantial monetary consideration. The proceeds of crime were acquired, possessed and utilised for acquisition of movable and immovable assets,” the ED said.
Financial investigation under the PMLA revealed that Hakam Singh Rawat received Rs 95 lakh out of money collected from candidates and attempted to project illicit earnings from the UKSSSC examination paper leak as legitimate income, the ED added.
“Analysis of his bank accounts showed substantial cash deposits inconsistent with his declared sources of income. Further scrutiny of his Income Tax Returns (ITRs) indicated disclosure of agricultural income, which was found to be disproportionate to the actual agricultural activity undertaken and used as a cover to justify unexplained cash deposits,” the central probe agency said.
“The investigation established that proceeds of crime generated through the organised sale of leaked question papers were layered and integrated into the financial system by way of cash deposits, misrepresentation in ITRs, and claims of agricultural income,” it added.
During the contemporaneous period to exam, Rawat acquired movable and immovable assets, which have now been provisionally attached under Section 5 of PMLA, 2002, the ED said.
Financial investigation and statements recorded under Section 50 of PMLA, bank account analysis, and searches conducted at 14 premises revealed incriminating documents, digital devices, property records and cash linked to the scam clearly establishes the role of Rawat, the statement said.
Multiple chargesheets filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Uttarakhand Police also established the role of Rawat and associates in the organised racket, the ED said.
The ED has already filed a chargesheet before the PMLA Special Court at Dehradun against various accused persons, including employees of RMS Techno Solutions Private Limited, public servants, middlemen and facilitators.
The UKSSSC examination scam involved large-scale malpractice in recruitment examinations conducted in 2016 and 2021.
“The FIRs registered by Uttarakhand Police and Vigilance Sector revealed tampering of OMR sheets, leakage of confidential papers, and fraudulent facilitation of candidates. The organised conspiracy resulted in wrongful gain to the accused and unlawful loss to the integrity of the recruitment process,” the ED added.
–IANS
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