REET paper leak: ED arrests third person in ongoing investigation

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 20 said it had made a new and third arrest in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation related to the alleged release of the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET) 2021 paper slip.

Raju Ram Iram was taken into custody on July 19. A special court in Jaipur, which hears cases filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), remanded him in ED custody for three days, the central agency said in a statement.

The ED had earlier arrested retired assistant professor Pradeep Parasher and his assistant Ram Kripal Meena in the case.

According to ED, Iram had obtained the leaked REET-2021 documents from other accused and given them to his associates for distribution among the candidates.

The accused took the help of his accomplices and made arrangements in Jodhpur to “show and read” the leaked document to various candidates in lieu of a large sum of money, the agency said.

The ED’s money laundering case stems from an FIR and chargesheets filed by the Rajasthan Police.

The federal agency conducted several searches in connection with the case last year, “resulting in the recovery of incriminating documents, digital records, and the seizure of large amounts of money.” It also filed charges against Meena.