Alamgir Alam Out on Bail After Two Years; Marandi Criticises Celebrations

Ranchi (IANS): Former Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam walked out of Birsa Munda Central Jail on Thursday after spending nearly two years in judicial custody in the high-profile tender commission scam and money laundering case linked to the state’s Rural Development Department.

His release followed a bail order granted by the Supreme Court of India on Monday. Authorities completed the formalities after his wife, Nishat Alam, furnished the surety. The release was delayed because the Supreme Court’s order was not uploaded to the official portal on time.

Alamgir Alam and his private secretary, Sanjiv Lal, had remained in custody since May 2024. After lower courts and the Jharkhand High Court denied them relief, they moved the Supreme Court.

Supporters gathered outside the jail after Alamgir Alam’s release and celebrated by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets.

The celebrations drew sharp criticism from Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi. He said Alamgir Alam had not been acquitted with honour and had received only interim relief on grounds of age and health.

In a social media post, Marandi wrote sarcastically that the celebrations resembled the return of a revolutionary who had fought for the country’s freedom. He questioned whether looting crores of rupees and depriving the poor of their rights was an achievement worth celebrating.

Marandi also referred to the seizure of about Rs 32.20 crore in cash from the residence of Jahangir Alam, an aide to Sanjiv Lal. Investigators had to use counting machines to process the cash.

He warned that influence and resources might secure temporary relief, but the stigma of corruption remains. Citing Lalu Prasad Yadav, Marandi said such cases continue to cast a shadow over those involved.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that an organised commission racket operated in Jharkhand’s Rural Development Department. According to the agency, contractors were forced to pay around three per cent commission to secure government tenders, and about 1.35 per cent of that amount was allegedly passed on to the then minister.

During raids on May 6, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate recovered Rs 32.2 crore in cash from Jahangir Alam’s residence and seized lakhs of rupees from Sanjiv Lal’s residence and office.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Alamgir Alam in connection with the case on May 15, 2024.