The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken Dinesh Gope, the leader of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), into custody. The arrest is part of an investigation into money laundering allegations. The Ranchi zonal team of the ED arrested Dinesh Gope from Palamu Central Jail. Following his arrest, he was presented before a special PMLA court in Ranchi through a video conference, where he was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
The ED’s investigation stemmed from multiple FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Jharkhand Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These legal documents accused Dinesh Gope and his PLFI organization of serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, extortion, and other illegal activities. During the investigation, it was discovered that Dinesh Gope had been extorting money from contractors, businessmen, coal traders, and transporters in Jharkhand and surrounding states. His illegal earnings were estimated to be around 20 crore rupees.
To conceal these illegal funds, Gope used various shell companies and firms. These companies were set up under the names of his two wives, Shakuntala Devi and Geeta, and other close associates to give the appearance of legitimacy to the illicit money. The investigation also exposed that this black money was used to finance the PLFI’s operations, acquire weapons, and invest in real estate. The ED is now expanding its probe to identify all individuals involved and track down any hidden assets. The agency is gathering intelligence on Gope’s levy-extortion network, financial backers, and investments.