Bhopal: ED Files Prosecution Complaint Against Ex-DIG's Wife In PMLA Case

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has filed a prosecution complaint (PC) against Archana Gandhi, wife of late Umesh Kumar Gandhi (former DIG Jail, Bhopal), and Ajay Kumar Gandhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The complaint was submitted to the Special Court, Bhopal on March 29, which has taken cognizance of the case. Earlier on January 4, 2025, the ED had provisionally attached assets worth Rs 4.68 crore belonging to late Umesh Kumar Gandhi and his associates in a disproportionate assets case.

The investigation stemmed from an FIR filed by the Special Police Establishment (SPE), Lokayukta, under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The Lokayukta's probe led to two charge sheets one in the Special Court under the PC Act and another in the 1st Additional District and Sessions Court against Umesh Kumar Gandhi, Ajay Kumar Gandhi (former Jail Guard, Sehore) and Archana Gandhi for amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs 5.13 crore.

The ED's investigation under PMLA found that Umesh Kumar Gandhi acquired substantial movable and immovable properties in his name and that of his family and associates. These include 20 properties across Sagar, Katni, Sehore, Bhopal and Indore, along with bank balances, jewellery, insurance policies, mutual funds and Kisan Vikas Patras, all of which have been provisionally attached.