Former NHAI DGM Turned Crorepati Through Illicit Wealth, ED Attaches Assets Worth ₹2.85 Crore

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Patna Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth ₹2.85 crore belonging to Prabhanshu Shekhar, former Deputy General Manager (DGM) of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The action has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following revelations that the senior NHAI official amassed disproportionate assets through corrupt practices during his tenure.

Investments Made in the Names of Wife and Relatives

According to the ED investigation, Shekhar systematically laundered illegal proceeds by routing funds into the bank accounts of his family members, including his wife and close relatives. A significant portion of the illicit cash was used to purchase immovable properties in his wife’s name, while the remaining amount was invested in insurance policies, precious metals, and bank deposits.

The attached assets include premium flats and land located in Bihar and Delhi, substantial bank balances, gold and silver jewellery, and high-value insurance policies.

CBI Chargesheet Exposed the Corruption Trail

The money laundering probe was initiated based on FIRs and chargesheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Patna Anti-Corruption Bureau. As per the CBI findings, between January 1, 2016, and September 23, 2022, during his posting in Patna, Prabhanshu Shekhar accumulated assets worth approximately ₹4.07 crore beyond his known sources of income.

Undue Favours to Construction Firm for Bribes

Investigations revealed that while holding the DGM post at NHAI, Shekhar extended undue benefits to Ashoka Buildcon Limited by clearing inflated and fraudulent bills. He also deliberately ignored the use of substandard materials in road construction projects.

In return, Shekhar allegedly received hefty bribes, which were subsequently laundered through family accounts and converted into real estate and financial investments.

Scope of Investigation Likely to Expand

The ED has clarified that the current attachment is only the beginning of the action. Further investigation is underway to trace additional money trails and identify other individuals involved in the corruption network. The agency is closely scrutinizing suspicious bank transactions used to convert cash into investments.

Officials indicated that more arrests and attachments cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses.