Now, ED investigates Srijan and toilet scams

PATNA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated separate investigation into the Srijan and toilet scams. The CBI is already probing the Srijan scam while the toilet scheme funds embezzlement is being investigated by Patna police.
A senior ED official told TOI that the purpose of parallel investigation is to unearth movable and immovable properties amassed through money laundering.“We are scrutinizing the files of both the scams to send summons and gather evidence of money laundering with the help of bank accounts of the accused persons,” he said.
While the Rs1,500-crore Srijan scam was spread in several districts of Bihar, including Bhagalpur, around Rs14 crore was embezzled in the toilet construction scheme in Patna district.
The Srijan scam is related to fraudulent transfer of government funds into the bank accounts of Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti. Later, the money was used by officials and politicians in several districts. At least ten accused are in jail and several others absconding in the related cases.
In the toilet scam, several NGOs embezzled the funds they had received for toilet construction in rural Patna. Altogether 44 persons were made accused and 27 were sent to jail in the case. An FIR was lodged with the Gandhi Maidan police station in Patna on November 2, 2017 in connection with the scam which had taken place between May 1 and June 23, 2017.
The first FIR in the Srijan scam was lodged with the Kotwali police station in Bhagalpur on August 4 last year. On August 17, CM Nitish Kumar recommended CBI probe into the scam.
Prior to the CBI, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar police had initiated investigating. The CBI has lodged 14 FIRs in the Srijan scam.