CM’s Brother In Money-Laundering Probe; Know Details

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s elder brother Agrasain Gehlot in connection with a money laundering probe.

The case is based on a 2009 investigation in the export of a fertiliser — muriate of potash (MOP) — worth Rs 57 lakh. MOP is a restricted commodity for export under India’s foreign trade policy.

Gehlot turned up at the ED headquarters in Delhi along with his lawyer. His statement was recorded under prevention of money laundering act (PMLA), Hindustan Times reported.

ED officials had raided his office in July last year.

Last week, the Rajasthan high court asked Gehlot to cooperate with the investigation and also directed the ED not to take any coercive action against him.

According to the Customs department’s investigation report, Agrasain Gehlot’s company M/s Anupam Krishi allegedly played a key role in the irregularities, with MOP being exported to companies in Malaysia and Singapore.

“Agrasain Gehlot knowingly opted to become a part of the syndicate in the entire chain of the conspiracy by facilitating the said consortium (of private companies) by supplying subsidized MOP, which was meant for sale to farmers only and forged documents for which he admittedly gained a certain amount as his commission,” the Customs probe report said.