ED Action: ED in action against money laundering; 15 benami properties of A Raja seized, four arrested in Vivo related case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized 15 benami properties of former Union Environment and Forest Minister DMK MP A Raja. The central agency has arrested the managing director of Lava International Mobile Company, a Chinese national, a chartered accountant and another person as part of its money laundering probe against Chinese smartphone maker Vivo.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Union Environment and Forest Minister DMK MP A. 15 immovable properties owned by Raja's benami company M/s Kovai Shelters Promoters India Private Limited have been taken over under the provisions of PMLA, 2002. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken possession of 15 immovable properties of DMK MP A Raja as part of its money laundering probe.

Chinese citizens were also included among those arrested in the investigation against Vivo.
On the other hand, the central agency has arrested the managing director of Lava International Mobile Company, a Chinese national, a chartered accountant and another person as part of its money laundering probe against Chinese smartphone maker Vivo. All four have been detained under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is likely to be produced before a court in New Delhi, where the ED will seek his custody.

The agency conducted raids against Vivo and its associated people in July.
The agency had raided the company and people associated with it in July last year and claimed to have busted a giant money laundering gang involving Chinese nationals and several Indian companies. The ED had then alleged that Vivo had illegally sent Rs 62,476 crore to China to avoid paying taxes in India.