KNB News Desk
Srinagar 03 July (KNB): Directorate of Enforcement on Saturday said that they have arrested a freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), who during the investigation revealed that confidential information was supplied to Chinese intelligence in exchange for remuneration.
ED said that Sharma was arrested on Ist July and was presented before court on the next day where he was granted a custody of seven days to ED, an official handout said.
“ED initiated the investigation on the basis of the FIR and chargesheet filed by Delhi Police against Rajeev Sharma under the provisions of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Official Secrets Act, 1923,” said ED.
It further said that Sharma’s supplying of confidential and sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers in exchange for remuneration thereby compromises security and national interest of India.
“It further revealed that cash for remuneration by Rajeev Sharma and other unknown persons was being generated through Hawala means by Mahipalpur shell companies that were run by Chinese nationals namely Zhang Cheng @ Suraj, Zhang Lixia @ Usha, Quing Shi along with a Nepali national Sher Singh @ Raj Bohara. Apart from cash huge transactions were made Chinese companies and some trading companies in India which are being examined. These Chinese companies were acting as conduit for Chinese Intelligence agencies to provide remuneration for persons like Rajeev Sharma indulged in criminal activities. Rajeev Sharma also received money through benami bank accounts in order to conceal his involvement in criminal activities,” the ED said.
ED also said that the investigation is in progress. (KNB)