Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], Mar 15 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday seized foreign currency worth Rs 93 lakh and Indian currency worth Rs 90 lakh from an alleged hawala operator Harish Bhatija in Jaipur.
On the basis of inputs that Harish Forex (P) Ltd. owner Bhatija was allegedly involved in illegal exchange or collection of foreign currency, ED started a discreet enquiry and revealed that illegally acquired foreign currencies were sent to other cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, etc. Apparently, Bhatija allegedly used to send illegal cash to other cities with the help of one of his employees named Kamal Bhandari who used to carry the illegally collected foreign currencies in person and transport them to various places by public transport.
The enquiry also disclosed that Kamal used to allegedly conceal the currency in waist pouches and socks.
On Wednesday, Kamal was intercepted in Jaipur. Foreign currencies of 11 different countries including US dollars and Euros valued Rs 60 lakh was recovered from him.
After that, searches were conducted at Johari Bazaar shop of Harish Forex Ltd. and residential premise of Harish which resulted in the seizure of foreign currency equivalent to Rs 93 lakh and Indian currency worth Rs 90 lakh.
Incriminating documents and electronic devices reflecting illegal dealings in foreign exchange were also recovered during the course of searches.
ED is investigating the case under provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). Harish Forex (P) Ltd. is authorised by RBI for legal purchase and sale of foreign currency but in the garb of RBI authorisation, Harish was allegedly running a racket of illegal collection of foreign currency. (ANI)
