Journalist Upendra Rai Faces Secrets Act Charges; ED Attaches ₹26.65 Crore Assets
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen properties worth ₹26.65 crore of journalist Upendra Rai in a money laundering case involving suspected extortion and influence peddling. At the same time, the Law Ministry has sanctioned the CBI to proceed against Rai under the Official Secrets Act, adding more legal woes to the accused.
Case Background
Rai is being probed by the CBI and ED for allegedly taking money from businessmen by presenting himself as a middleman to "settle" cases with the Income Tax Department and other authorities. Agencies reportedly seized during raids:
- Classified Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs): 140 FIU documents kept on a pen drive.
- Call Data Records (CDRs): Sensitive phone records of businessmen.
Legal Implications
The Official Secrets Act invocation stems from Rai’s alleged possession of classified government data, raising concerns about national security breaches. The ED’s asset seizure includes luxury properties and bank accounts linked to Rai’s purported extortion network.
Agency Findings
- Rai allegedly used his media credentials to intimidate businessmen, threatening them with fabricated tax cases unless payments were made.
- The ED claims the seized assets were acquired through illicit gains from these activities.
Next Steps
The CBI will henceforth club charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Official Secrets Act, which can result in more severe punishments, including longer jail terms.
