By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Shillong Sub-Zonal office has attached assets worth Rs 20.28 crore owned by Chandra Mohan Jha, Chancellor of CMJ University and his family members under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
According to the Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) issued on July 3, the assets attached comprise four immovable properties in New Delhi, valued at Rs 19.28 crore, and movable property worth Rs 1 crore in the form of bank balance.
The ED in a statement issued on Monday said the action taken was in pursuance of its efforts to trace proceeds of crime (POC) generated by Jha who, in collusion with other individuals, allegedly issued fake degrees in exchange of money.
The ED initiated investigation based on an FIR registered at the CID Police Station, East Khasi Hills, against the CMJ University.
The complaint was filed by former Chief Secretary MS Rao at the behest of then Governor of Meghalaya, who also happened to be the Visitor of the university.
By issuing PAOs on March 31, 2017; November 30, 2021; and July 11, 2024, the ED had attached assets worth Rs 27.66 crore, Rs 13.54 crore and Rs 7.56 crore respectively. The assets were found in possession of Jha and his family members.
In an effort to trace further POC, the ED conducted searches on various premises on December 12, 2024; December 21, 2024; and December 23, 2024 which resulted in the freezing of bank balances to the tune of Rs 1.15 crore.
The ED stated that several assets, procured by Jha and his family members by committing fraud, came to light.
According to the ED, these assets include four immovable properties purchased between 2013 and 2022.
It further stated that Rs 1 crore in bank balance, which Jha had deceptively transferred to one of his family members on December 16, 2024, was also unearthed.
These assets, valued at Rs 20.28 crore, were attached on July 3. Further investigation is in progress, the ED said.
