Fresh probe on Manoj Kumar for extortion charges

The Kolkata Police initiated a fresh probe against Manoj Kumar, the former assistant director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), after a chartered accountant lodged a complaint raising allegation of extortion of money.

It has been alleged that one Pradeep Kumar Hirawat used to take money from the complainant Kamal Somani, who had lodged a complaint with Shakespeare Sarani police station on February 28.

It may be recalled that Manoj was suspended from ED for his alleged involvement with the estranged wife of Rose Valley group chief to send crores of money out of the country through hawala route.

Kamal had lodged the complaint alleging that a team led by Manoj had conducted a raid in his office on May 12. He had searched the office and had asked several questions to the complainant before leaving the office.

Subsequently, Pradeep, whose office was at 14/2, Old China Bazar near Burrabazar, started calling him for extortion money.

Pradeep used to take money from the chartered accountant by taking the name of Manoj. He had taken a few lakhs of rupees in the past few months.

Kamal claimed that Pradeep used to work as front man to collect money for Manoj.

Based on the complaint, the police arrested Pradeep on March 1. The police initiated a case under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act.

A senior police officer said that they are looking into the role of Manoj and trying to ascertain whether Pradeep really used to work for the former assistant director of ED.