ED Raids Four States Over Attack on RSS Office
ED conducts raids in Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Karnataka in a money-laundering probe into the petrol-bomb attack on RSS office, Ranchi
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted raids in four states as part of a money-laundering investigation into the petrol-bomb attack on an RSS office in Ranchi in June.
Officials said the Pakistan-based banned terrorist outfit Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) was under the scanner in the case. The ED is the second central agency to investigate the outfit after the National Investigation Agency.
The Union home ministry declared SBN a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on September 16.
ED officials said premises in Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Karnataka were searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The agency initiated its investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the NIA, which had taken over the case from a special investigation team of the Jharkhand police.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh functionaries alleged that petrol bombs were hurled at the organisation’s office in Ranchi’s Nivaranpur area on the afternoon of June 17.
Jharkhand police arrested three accused from Lohardaga later that evening and seized the car allegedly used in the attack.
A gazette notification issued by the home ministry invoked Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA to add the Shahzad Bhatti Network to the First Schedule of the Act, which lists banned terrorist organisations.
The Centre said the action was taken because SBN was involved in acts of terrorism in India.
