Dehradun, July 19, 2025 — In a major development in the ongoing money laundering probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against senior Congress leader and former Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat, his wife Deepti Rawat, and several others in connection with the alleged illegal acquisition of prime land parcels in Dehradun valued at over ₹70 crore.

The prosecution complaint has been filed before a special PMLA court in Dehradun, the ED confirmed in an official statement.

👥 Who Has Been Chargesheeted?

According to the chargesheet, the following individuals and entities have been named as accused:

• Harak Singh Rawat, 64, former Forest Minister of Uttarakhand

• Deepti Rawat, his wife

• Birendra Singh Kandari, a close associate of Harak Singh

• Laxmi Singh Rana, co-purchaser of land

• Smt. Poorna Devi Memorial Trust, which runs the Doon Institute of Medical Science

The charges stem from a land grabbing conspiracy in which key plots in Sahaspur, Dehradun were allegedly acquired through forged powers of attorney and later sold at undervalued rates to individuals connected with Rawat.

🧾 Details of the Land Scam

The origin of the case lies in a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Uttarakhand Police, naming Deepti Rawat and Laxmi Singh Rana as prime suspects. They are alleged to have acquired land through a fraudulent process masterminded by Birendra Singh Kandari and late Sushila Rani, among others, with the support of Harak Singh Rawat.

The ED explained that:

“Despite a clear court order prohibiting it, Sushila Rani registered two power of attorney documents with help from others, enabling the fraudulent sale of lands situated in Sahaspur.”

These land parcels, the agency added, were subsequently sold by Kandari to Deepti Rawat and Laxmi Singh Rana at rates far below the prevailing circle rates, which itself constitutes a serious violation under PMLA.

🏥 Role of the Medical Trust

The Doon Institute of Medical Science, a private college and hospital in Uttarakhand, is now built on part of this disputed land. The institute is run by the Smt. Poorna Devi Memorial Trust, which the ED claims is “controlled by family members and close associates” of Harak Singh Rawat.

The Trust, too, has been named as an accused entity in the ED's prosecution complaint.

Earlier this year, in January 2025, the ED had already provisionally attached two land parcels measuring 101 bighas, which are said to be worth ₹6.56 crore on paper but have a market value exceeding ₹70 crore.

🔍 Political Backdrop

Harak Singh Rawat, who was once with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defected to the Congress ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. His return to the Congress fold came amid accusations of corruption and political friction within the BJP ranks.

This fresh chargesheet is likely to add to the Congress party's woes in Uttarakhand, where it has been battling internal divisions and declining public support.

🗣️ ED's Official Statement

In its public communication, the ED stated:

“The investigation has revealed that the lands were acquired with an intent to launder proceeds of crime and the associated trust was used as a vehicle to layer and project tainted assets as legitimate educational infrastructure.”

The ED has further invoked provisions of benami transactions and asset tracing to strengthen its case in court.

⚖️ What Happens Next?

The special PMLA court in Dehradun is expected to begin hearings next week, with summons likely to be issued to the accused for their formal appearance.

Legal experts say that if found guilty, the accused may face:

• Rigorous imprisonment up to 7 years

• Fines and confiscation of all related assets

• Ban from holding public office or trust positions

ED officials said they are also exploring custodial interrogation of key individuals, including Harak Singh Rawat, for further clarity on how the proceeds of the land scam were routed through trusts and third parties.

🧠 Implications for Political Circles

This development is likely to escalate political tensions in Uttarakhand, with the BJP expected to target Congress leadership over corruption in the coming days.

A senior BJP leader from Uttarakhand said:

“This is not just a case of personal greed. It exposes a pattern of political misuse of land, trusts and institutions for private gain. The Congress must answer.”

Meanwhile, Congress sources have indicated that the party is awaiting legal advice before commenting publicly on the chargesheet.

🧾 Summary of the Land Assets Involved

🔚 Conclusion: Big Legal Trouble for Harak Singh Rawat

The ED’s chargesheet marks a significant escalation in the money laundering case that has been under investigation for over a year. As the legal battle intensifies, the focus will be on the role of trusts, and whether these educational and medical institutions were legitimately founded or fraudulently constructed to legitimise illicit wealth.

The coming months may prove politically and legally stormy for Harak Singh Rawat and the Uttarakhand Congress.

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