The Directorate of Enforcement has filed a complaint against red sandalwood smugglers in Visakhapatnam. The complaint was filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The accused individuals are R. Selvaraj, M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd., P. Vishnu Anand, and D. L. Madhusudhan.
The court has taken the complaint into consideration. The ED is investigating the alleged possession and smuggling of red sandalwood based on a FIR filed by the Narayanavanam police station in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The FIR was registered under various sections of IPC, Wildlife Protection Act, Biological Diversity Act, and Arms Act.
Multiple FIRs have been filed against R. Selvaraj and others by the A.P. Police under various Acts. The investigation is ongoing.
During the ED investigation, it was found that R. Selvaraj is a repeat offender involved in red sandalwood smuggling and other criminal activities, which has generated significant illegal profits.
The proceeds of these crimes were used by R. Selvaraj to acquire properties in his name and in the name of his family members, as well as his family-owned company – M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd.
The other accused individuals knowingly helped R. Selvaraj hide and possess the properties acquired through illegal means, presenting them as clean assets.
In March 2022, the ED attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 2.74 Crore belonging to R. Selvaraj, his family, and M/s Sanjana Metalware India Pvt. Ltd. This was confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002(PMLA) in September 2022.
The investigation is still ongoing.
