Highlights
- Enforcement Directorate attaches assets valued at ₹65.46 crore.
- Former State Bank of Sikkim General Manager accused of large-scale fraud.
- Properties and bank accounts in Sikkim seized as part of the investigation.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth ₹65.46 crore in a significant money laundering investigation targeting a former senior official of the State Bank of Sikkim (SBS).
According to the official statement issued by the ED, the attached assets include four residential properties and several land parcels located in Deorali, Syari, Ranipool, and Penlong—all within the state of Sikkim. The properties are suspected to have been purchased through funds allegedly misappropriated by Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, former General Manager (Operations) of SBS.
In addition to physical properties, several bank accounts containing approximately ₹53.41 crore belonging to Lepcha and his family members have been frozen. These financial actions have been undertaken under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The investigation commenced following an FIR registered by the Crime Investigation Department (CID). Authorities uncovered that Lepcha reportedly engineered an elaborate scheme involving a fictitious bank account named "AE Roads and Bridges Department, Government of Sikkim." Lepcha allegedly manipulated documents from transactions involving two public sector banks to illegally divert funds into this fraudulent account. Subsequently, these misappropriated funds were channeled into the personal accounts of Lepcha and his associates.
Last month, the ED carried out multiple raids on properties associated with Lepcha, recovering key documents linked to the illicit acquisition of assets. As the investigation continues, authorities are actively pursuing further leads to gather comprehensive evidence against Lepcha and his associates.
The State Bank of Sikkim, established in 1968, operates as an autonomous financial institution under the Government of Sikkim and is responsible for managing the state's treasury functions.
Authorities have indicated that further developments are expected as the inquiry progresses.