09 July 2025

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable assets valued at Rs. 50.80 Lakh as of July 8, 2025. This action falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and is connected to a case involving Shyamlal Akhand, a former Enforcement Officer in the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Akhand is accused of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known income.

The attached properties include agricultural land in Village Nalwa, District Ujjain, jointly held by his wife and son, and a residential plot in Emerald City, Village Jakhya, Tehsil Sanwer, District Indore, registered in Akhand's name.

Investigations revealed that between 2009 and 2019, Akhand allegedly abused his official position at EPFO to accumulate wealth significantly exceeding his lawful income. He is suspected of engaging in corrupt practices, including demanding and accepting bribes, and using these illicit proceeds to acquire the attached properties. While Akhand claimed various sources of income, including salary, rental earnings, and agricultural income, he could not provide documentation for his wife's claimed embroidery and stitching business, and large cash deposits were noted across several family bank accounts.

The ED initiated its investigation based on two FIRs filed by the CBI, ACB, Bhopal, against Akhand: one for bribery and another for possessing disproportionate assets.

Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.