PMLA case accused linked to Soren dies

RANCHI: Hilariyus Kacchap (47), is one of the five accused of money laundering case involving former chief minister Hemant Soren, ECIR(6)/2023, died late night on Tuesday.

A short visit to his house behind DAV, Bariatu, in the afternoon suggested so when around 50 people were sitting in front of his garlanded picture on his house campus.

“Hilariyus passed away light night due to renal failure at his house. We came to know this morning and have come from Karra in Khunti to pay our last rite,” said a close relative of Kacchap requesting anonymity.

Kacchap is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

When attempting to contact any of them, close relatives and friends present there didn’t allowed it.

“They will not talk to anyone. Please go out,” said a youth angrily and closed the gate of the premises from inside.

Sources close to ED said the death took place at home.

“Kacchap was suffering from a renal problem for long. ED sleuths realised the same during a raid at his residence when foul smell came from his room and when asked about the same Kacchap said it was due to dialysis,” a source close to ED said.

ED’s charge sheet filed before the PMLA court suggests that Kacchap helped Hemant Soren in latter’s activities connected with proceeds of crime.

“Hilariyus looked after the 8.86 acre land which was in the control of Soren and that landed Soren in trouble. According to the statement of circle officer Manoj Kumar during the inspection of the same land on April 21 last year he was present with several others and inspection was done under his supervision. According to a statement of one Ganesh Pahan before ED, he along with Raj Kumar Pahan and local criminals used to take care of the land,” an ED source said.

Another ED source said, “Electricity meter was in the name of Kacchap. When the matter came into the knowledge of ED, Kacchap in order to frustrate the proceedings generated a fresh application with the help of Raj Kumar Pahan for land restoration.”