UP: ED seizes Rs 250 Cr land of Samajwadi Party MP Babu Singh Kushwaha in connection to Rs 10,000 Cr NRHM Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized land worth crores belonging to Samajwadi Party MP Babu Singh Kushwaha, located on Kanpur Road in Lucknow. In addition to the land seizure, the construction on the property has been demolished by the ED. This action is a part of the ongoing investigation into the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, in which Kushwaha is a key accused.

The ED is conducting its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). For the demolition of the structures on the seized land, the ED brought in a bulldozer. It is noteworthy that during the time of the NRHM scam, Babu Singh Kushwaha was serving as the Minister of Family Welfare in Uttar Pradesh’s BSP government. He was subsequently imprisoned for four years in connection with this case.

According to reports, the seized land, owned by Babu Singh Kushwaha from Jaunpur, is situated near Scooter India in the Sarojini Nagar police station area of Lucknow. This land is considered highly valuable. To date, the ED has seized properties worth approximately Rs 250 crores linked to Kushwaha. This recent action is a continuation of those earlier seizures.

The NRHM scam, which occurred during Mayawati’s tenure as Chief Minister, reportedly involved misappropriations exceeding Rs 10,000 crores. The funds for NRHM were allocated by the central government for rural health initiatives.

Additionally, Kushwaha is accused of earning crores through corruption in the Uttar Pradesh Labor Construction and Cooperative Federation Limited (LACFED), and investing the ill-gotten money in benami properties.

The ED’s investigation has uncovered properties worth billions belonging to Kushwaha. These properties are registered under the names of his family members, relatives, and close associates. The investigative agencies have compiled a comprehensive list of these illegal properties, and the process of their seizure is ongoing.

Currently, Babu Singh Kushwaha serves as a Member of Parliament from Jaunpur representing the Samajwadi Party. The actions taken by the ED underscore the agency’s commitment to cracking down on corruption and recovering assets obtained through illicit means.

Samajwadi Party MPs have been embroiled in controversies over the past few days. Earlier, an aide of the Faizabad MP, Awadhesh Prasad, named Moid Khan, along with his servant, was arrested by the UP Police for allegedly raping and impregnating a minor girl from the Jatav community. Khan is accused of threatening the minor after raping her for several months.

Notably, Prasad and other senior party members have remained silent on the matter. According to reports, Khan’s properties are also under investigation by the UP Police. The scrutiny includes allegations of encroachments not only on government land but also on properties belonging to Dalits.