ED Confronts Former MLA Baljit Yadav with Witnesses in Jaipur PMLA Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate's zonal office in Jaipur conducted a significant confrontation on Thursday, presenting former MLA Baljit Yadav with key witnesses as part of its ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Allegations of Tender Irregularities and Family-Linked Companies
During the interrogation, ED officials directly questioned Yadav about why government tenders awarded to certain companies for supplying sports goods allegedly belonged to his family members and close relatives. The agency claims to have recovered incriminating evidence from the first day of questioning.
According to ED officials, witness statements recorded during the investigation allege that Yadav established multiple companies in the names of his family members and close associates. "These firms allegedly went on to secure government tenders for sports goods supply, raising serious suspicions about layering and diversion of funds," explained an official. "Our current focus is determining whether these transactions were used to generate and launder proceeds of crime."
Witness Testimony and Documentary Evidence
During the confrontation session, witnesses reportedly reiterated their claims regarding:
- The ownership and control structure of the companies in question
- Irregularities in the tendering process
- Suspicious patterns in fund flows
The agency is simultaneously scrutinizing bank records, company documents, and tender-related files to corroborate the oral statements with documentary evidence. This multi-pronged approach aims to build a comprehensive case against the former legislator.
Yadav's Response and Custodial Status
When faced with numerous questions during the confrontation, Yadav reportedly preferred to remain silent on many occasions, while claiming ignorance about other matters. His custodial remand has been extended and will continue until February 7.
The ED informed the special PMLA court that Yadav's continued custodial interrogation is essential to:
- Trace the alleged proceeds of crime
- Identify the actual beneficiaries of the suspicious transactions
- Verify discrepancies found in financial records
In a court appearance on Wednesday, Yadav denied all allegations against him and maintained that his arrest was politically motivated. The investigation continues as the agency seeks to establish concrete links between the tender awards, company structures, and potential money laundering activities.
