Former Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav appeared before a special Enforcement Directorate (ED) court in Jaipur regarding an alleged money laundering case. He has been remanded to three days in ED custody. The next hearing is scheduled for February 7.
The ED had requested a six-day remand, which was contested by Yadav’s counsel. After extensive arguments lasting nearly five hours, Special Judge Khagendra Kumar Sharma granted the three-day remand. Yadav faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for misusing and embezzling over Rs 3 crore from the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) Fund.
Yadav was apprehended by the ED at the Shahjahanpur toll plaza in Alwar and subsequently arrested after questioning at the ED office in Jaipur. He claimed political vendetta during his court appearance, alleging false implication in a conspiracy. Yadav asserted that the Behror MLA, Jaswant Yadav, aimed to nominate his mentally challenged son as an MLA and accused political motives behind his arrest.
The court sought clarification on the involvement of Panchayat Samiti officials and the beneficiary account holder in the case. Yadav’s defense argued that he had no role in the tendering process, as tenders were issued by the Panchayat Samiti. Additionally, the defense highlighted an ongoing property dispute between Yadav and the recipient of the funds. Yadav’s counsel emphasized his cooperation with the ED’s investigation and denounced the arrest as politically motivated and unlawful.
