
Probe Agency Conducts Raids In Money Laundering Case Against Jharkhand Ex-Minister
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday raided multiple locations in Jharkhand as part of an ongoing alleged illegal sand mining and extortion linked money laundering investigation against former minister Yogendra Sao and his family members, official sources said.
At least eight premises in Hazaribag and Ranchi were raided since early morning. The action is being undertaken as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.
The raids pertains to an ongoing probe into allegations that substantial proceeds of crime were generated through activities such as extortion, illegal sand mining, and land grabbing, the sources said.
Sao is a Congress leader and a former agriculture minister of the state. He was raised and questioned by the ED last year in a money laundering case that was being probed against his MLA daughter Amba Prasad.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
19 minutes ago
- First Post
Elon Musk's ‘laser-focused' gamble: ‘America Party' to seize Congressional power
As the nation marked Independence Day, Musk took to X to detail his plan for reshaping Congress. He proposed the creation of the 'America Party' and revealed his 'laser-focus' plan read more Elon Musk can be deported if he is legally stripped of his citizenship. Reuters US billionaire Elon Musk on Friday (July 4) unveiled a bold political strategy to shake up the American political landscape by launching a third party aimed at disrupting the dominance of Democrats and Republicans. The tech mogul outlined a cunning two-step plan to wield significant influence in Washington DC without ever running for president. Shared on his platform X, Musk's vision for the 'America Party' might seem like another billionaire's pet project, but his calculated approach suggests a deeper ambition: to become a kingmaker in Congress. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the nation marked Independence Day, Musk took to X to detail his plan for reshaping Congress. He proposed the creation of the 'America Party' and, in his signature style, posted a poll asking followers if he should move forward with forming a third political party. 'Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system!', he wrote, referring to Democrats and Republicans. 'Should we create the America Party?' he asked this to his followers in a poll, offering a 'yes' or 'no' response. The poll, which at the time this article was posted had only 6 hours left, already had 1.12 million votes, with a whopping 64.7 per cent in favour and only 35.3 per cent against the idea. Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system! Should we create the America Party? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2025 Far from a mere publicity stunt, Musk's strategy appears designed to position him as a pivotal force in American politics, leveraging his platform and resources to challenge the two-party system. Musk then revealed exactly how he would break the two-system party system's grip. 'One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts,' he wrote, adding, 'Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts. Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2025 Challenges Grant Davis Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, explained to Newsweek that launching and sustaining a credible third party faces 'numerous structural challenges.' 'The most significant is that with some exceptions at the local levels, our legislatures and executive elections use geographically defined districts that are represented by one person, who is elected by finishing first in the field, regardless of the size of the plurality.,' he said. 'We also replicate that system for president through the Electoral College, and the practice of the states, except for Nebraska and Maine, to award all their electoral votes to the candidate finishing first, regardless of the size of their plurality.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD


Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Signed and sealed, President Donald Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill' explained: Whose taxes are cut, who gets funding
US President Donald Trump signed his famous legislation 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' on Friday after the Republicans muscled it through Congress this week, effectively turning it into a law. Nearly 900 pages long, this legislation is a massive collection of tax breaks, spending cuts and other Republican priorities, including providing money for national defense and deportation. Donald Trump's bill also has provisions for funding the US's national security with around $350 billion. (Bloomberg) Tax cuts in the bill Since the legislation contains $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, Republicans say that the bill is significant as there would be a massive increase in taxes after December when tax breaks from Trump's first term expire. With this legislation, the existing tax rates approved in Trump's first term will become permanent. The bill also boosts the child tax credit from $2,000 to $2,200, aligning with the "pro-life" stance of the Trump administration. It also introduces a deduction for older adults who earn no more than $75,000 a year, aiming to end taxes on Social Security benefits. Along with this, there are scores of business-related tax cuts aimed at boosting economic growth. Also read: Trump signs his landmark 'Big Beautiful Bill' amid July 4 pomp, fireworks at White House Funding national defense and deportation The bill has provisions for funding the US's national security with around $350 billion. It also provides for 100,000 migrant detention facility beds, which will fuel Trump's promise of building the largest mass deportation centre in US. Funds will also be provided for hiring Immigration and Customs officers. To help pay for these funds, immigrants will be faced with new fees when seeking asylum and protection. Pentagon will also be provided billions for ammunition and quality-of-life measures for people working in defense services. Additionally, $25 billion would go towards the development of the Golden Dome missile defense system. Also read: How Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' affects Indians: From sending money to making investments, and crossing borders Cutback on Medicaid assistance for poor To help offset the lost tax revenue and balance the new spending, the bill aims to cut the Medicaid and food assistance for people below the poverty line. According to the Republicans, the safety net programs will serve the population they were designed for, instead of waste, fraud and abuse. For this, there is a proposed new $35 co-payment that can be charged to patients using Medicaid services. As per the Congressional Budget Office, if the bill is imposed, an estimated 11.8 million more Americans will become uninsured by 2034. Slashes clean energy tax credits Republicans are proposing to roll back the tax breaks earlier designed to boost clean energy projects. The tax breaks imposed during President Joe Biden focused on addressing climate change and lowering healthcare costs. According to the bill, tax breaks for people who buy new or used electric vehicles would expire on September 30 of this year, instead of at the end of the year 2032 under current law. Overall, according to the predictions of the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would increase federal deficits over the next 10 years by nearly $3.3 trillion from 2025 to 2034. (With inputs from AP)


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘Punjab deserves rule of law, not the rule by propaganda…': Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa
Marred by factionalism and bitter war words among its leaders in public, Congress in Punjab has several challenges ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. However, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa terms the factionalism as a 'manufactured narrative' and claims no Congress leader has spoken in favour of former minister and Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia who has been arrested in a disproportionate assets case. Intense factionalism has once again reared its head in Punjab Congress and was visible in Ludhiana byelection. Questions are now being raised on the ability of Congress to win 2027 elections amidst bitter infighting. Your comments The so-called factionalism in Punjab Congress is more of a manufactured narrative, driven by sections of the media and amplified by vested interests. What we are witnessing is a deliberate attempt by the BJP, a party that survives by dividing people on the basis of religion, caste, language, and region. They have mastered the politics of polarisation across India, and now they are trying to inject that same poison into Punjab's political environment. AAP has become a willing partner in this deception. BJP and AAP are two sides of the same coin when it comes to exploiting people's emotions for political gains. Congress, on the other hand, stands united in its commitment to Punjab's peace, prosperity, and Punjabiyat. We will expose these divisive forces, and I am confident that in 2027, the people will reject hate and confusion. AAP has targeted Congress leadership for speaking in favour of Bikram Majithia in the recent Vigilance Bureau case. Every senior Congress leader had attacked Majithia in the past so how do you justify speaking in his favour? Once again, a section of the media has chosen to amplify the false narrative crafted by AAP's publicity machinery. No Congress leader has spoken in favour of Majithia or asked investigative agencies to shield anyone involved in the drug trade. Our stand has been consistent: whoever is guilty, irrespective of their party, position, or background, must face the full force of the law. But at the same time, agencies must function within the framework of the law, not under political pressure or for media spectacle. Let's also expose AAP's hypocrisy. They registered the FIR under provisions related to disproportionate assets — not under NDPS Act. This is classic 'shoot and scoot' politics by AAP — make noise, defame people, and later quietly apologise, as their so-called 'Supreme Leader' has done many times before. Punjab deserves rule of law, not rule by propaganda. And Congress will always stand for lawful, transparent governance — not for misuse of agencies to score political points. After Ludhiana now there are two more bypolls to be held in Banga and Tarn Taran. What will be the Congress strategy following the adverse performance in Ludhiana West? There was no adverse performance by Congress in Ludhiana West. What actually happened was a systematic misuse of police, administration, and state machinery by AAP to intimidate voters and suppress democratic participation. The voter turnout speaks volumes. People were not convinced by AAP's governance, and many chose to stay away from the polls due to fear of harassment and repercussions. Congress is not deterred. In the upcoming byelections in Banga and Tarn Taran, we will ensure that people are able to exercise their right to vote freely, without fear or manipulation. Our strategy will focus on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots, exposing AAP's misgovernance, and ensuring every voter knows they have a voice — free from fear, free from pressure. Given your recent concerns about rising crime and gang-related activities in Punjab, what steps do you think are necessary to strengthen law enforcement and ensure public safety? Punjab today is witnessing complete collapse of law and order. Gangsters are not hiding anymore — they are running extortion rackets, threatening people openly. Lawrence Bishnoi gave an interview from a CIA facility with the clear connivance of police authorities. What bigger proof of administrative failure do you need? We've already paid a heavy price — the brutal murder of Sidhu Moosewala exposed the government's incompetence. Let's not forget — the police force reflects the leadership at the top. And today, that leadership is missing. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, is busy in social media photo-ops while gangsters expand their control over the state. We need serious reforms — depoliticized policing, modern intelligence systems, strict jail accountability, and dismantling of criminal networks — not hollow slogans. Punjab deserves safety, not a government addicted to headlines. Punjab is grappling with a high debt burden. What are your suggestions for improving the state's fiscal health without burdening the common man? How can the state balance welfare schemes with the need for financial discipline? Punjab, once the economic engine of India and the symbol of the Green Revolution, now finds itself struggling under a crippling debt burden. With debt levels projected to reach Rs 4 lakh crore by March 2026, the situation is alarming. The hard facts are sobering. Punjab's share in country's GDP has steadily declined — from over 4% in the 1980s to barely 2.5% today. Our per capita income, once among the highest, has now been overtaken by states like Haryana, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Agriculture, which was once the backbone of our economy, is under severe stress. Landholdings have shrunk below 3 acres per family, and rising input costs have made farming increasingly unsustainable for the average farmer. We must reinvent Punjab's economy with urgency, clarity, and vision. The way forward requires bold steps. Punjab has immense potential to become a hub for food processing, agro-technology, and precision manufacturing — particularly in producing agricultural implements for farmers across the world. With proper infrastructure, our youth can also drive growth in IT, startups, and green technology, just like their peers from Punjab have done abroad. We must diversify our economic base, protect our environment, and embrace modern, sustainable industries.