The Special Judge of CBI Court–I in Lucknow has officially taken cognisance of a major money laundering complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case, registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targets former Bhadohi MLA Vijay Mishra, former Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council member Ram Lali Mishra, and three other individuals.
Details of the Accused and Charges
Vijay Mishra is already serving a jail term following his conviction in three separate cases. A staggering total of 83 cases are registered against him and his associates, with 82 in Uttar Pradesh and one in West Bengal. Out of these, 21 cases remain pending across various courts in the state, including 15 in Bhadohi alone.
The ED's Allahabad sub-zonal office submitted the prosecution complaint on July 31, 2025. The document names Vishnu Kumar Mishra (Vijay Mishra's son), the company M/s VSP Starrr Realty Pvt. Ltd., and Bholanath Rajpati Shukla as co-accused. The court's decision to take cognisance on Monday formally paves the way for trial proceedings in this high-profile financial crime case.
The Origin and Scale of the Alleged Crimes
According to the federal agency, the investigation was triggered by an initial FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police against Vijay Mishra, Ram Lali Mishra, and others. The state police later filed chargesheets in July 2023 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These chargesheets alleged the accumulation of disproportionate assets worth ₹36.07 crore during their tenure as public servants. The alleged illegal wealth includes both movable and immovable properties.
The ED's statement highlighted that numerous criminal cases have been filed against Vijay Mishra and his family members over the years across Uttar Pradesh. The nature of these cases is severe, encompassing charges like:
- Extortion and illegal mining
- Kidnapping and murder
- Loot, fraud, forgery, and cheating
- Criminal conspiracy and organised crime
This pattern indicates a long-standing and extensive criminal history, as per the investigation agency.
Modus Operandi: Laundering Through Real Estate
During its money laundering probe, the ED uncovered a specific modus operandi. It alleges that Vijay Mishra and Ram Lali Mishra misused their official positions as part of a criminal conspiracy. A key element was the incorporation of a real estate firm, M/s VSP Starrr Realty Pvt. Ltd., which was allegedly used as a vehicle to launder large sums of illicit money.
The proceeds of crime, generated from various scheduled offences, were reportedly routed through this company and invested in high-value properties. The investigation further revealed that a significant portion of these illicit funds was parked in benami (proxy-owned) properties.
The ED claims that the layering of funds was executed with the help of Vijay Mishra's son, Vishnu Mishra, and close associate Bholanath Shukla. The dirty money was channeled through business transactions to project it as legitimate earnings. Additionally, part of the funds was allegedly transferred as sham loans to create the appearance of clean money.
Attached Assets and Ongoing Probe
Under the powers granted by the PMLA, the Enforcement Directorate has already provisionally attached movable and immovable assets with a total value of ₹25.46 crore. These attached properties include commercial and residential assets located in prominent cities:
- Prayagraj
- New Delhi
- Mumbai
- Rewa
The agency has confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. Based on any fresh evidence that surfaces, further attachments and legal actions are likely to follow. The court's cognisance marks a critical step toward a formal trial, aiming to bring the accused to justice for the complex web of alleged corruption and money laundering.
