NRHM scam: ED attaches Rs 23 cr assets of medical firm

The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth over Rs 23 crore in connection with its money laundering probe in the NRHM scam case.
The agency said it has issued a provisional order attaching "Rs 23.54 crore assets of Ms Surgicoin Medequip Private Limited and others" under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency had registered a criminal case to probe alleged financial irregularities in the central government run National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme in 2012, based on a CBI FIR.
"Searches were conducted at different places which were under the control of the said supplier company which has factory in Panipat. Residences of Directors was also searched and incriminating documents were found which revealed that the supplier got created false invoices and manipulated the rates.

"Investigation revealed that medical kits were supplied at exorbitant rates and out of funds of approximately Rs 32 crore an amount of Rs 21 crore was misappropriated in connivance with officials of nodal agency of government," the ED said in a statement.
"The supplier as well as the then Managing Director were in the process of disposing off their assets created out of proceeds of crime," it said, adding these assets were attached hence.
In a similar action, the agency attached properties worth Rs 150 crore of a Chennai-based firm involved in a case of illegal money circulation and subsequent cheating of public.