Bribery Scandal Unveiled: The Prakash and Jain Saga

The Enforcement Directorate intensified its crackdown on alleged corruption, raiding properties linked to suspended IAS officer and former Invest UP CEO Abhishek Prakash and middleman Nikant Jain. This development comes amid a money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Sources revealed that premises associated with Jain, who purportedly solicited bribes on behalf of Prakash, were targeted. The raids spanned across Jain's residence, business offices, and a hotel with ties to his family, as the investigation deepened into claims of systemic bribery linked to state investment projects.

Jain, previously apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh Police, allegedly demanded commissions to streamline project approvals. This included an entrepreneur's solar industry proposal, obstructed by created bureaucratic hurdles unless payments were made, according to the police FIR.

(With inputs from agencies.)