The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.53 crore of Bachha Rai, the main accused of the Bihar topper scam, PTI reported. The agency said it has attached 16 plots in Bachha Rai’s name in Lalganj, Mahua, Hajipur and Bhagwanpur, and 13 plots in the name of his wife Sangeeta Rai.

This is the first attachment in the case. The agency booked Bachcha Rai, the secretary-cum-principal of Bishun Roy College, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The Enforcement Directorate said Bachcha Rai has laundered his illicit wealth by acquiring huge properties in his name and that of his wife and daughter, PTI reported. The agency also said that Bachcha Rai and his wife had manipulated their income tax returns.

“Further, proceeds of crime have been laundered through a trust run by his (Bachha Rai) family member,” the agency said. “Most of the properties have been purchased by them in cash, against which no corresponding withdrawal has been made from their bank accounts.”

The scam first came to light in June 2016 when Ruby Rai, the topper in the arts stream, failed to answer basic questions during an interview, and even described political science as “prodigal science”, which taught cooking. The state government subsequently ordered an SIT investigation into the scam.

The investigation team found how officials of the Bihar Board would arrange to tamper with answer sheets of students, or give them marks even without checking their papers.

Besides Bachcha Rai, the investigation team has also booked Bihar School Examination Board Chairman Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh, wife Usha Sinha, who is also a former JD(U) MLA, and six others.

Bachcha Rai had allegedly bought a property worth Rs 2.5 crore, from the money he had made by selling marks. Lalkeshwar Prasad, Usha Sinha and Bachcha Rai are believed to be the kingpins of the toppers scam.

The agency had booked a a total of eight people, including former BSEB chairman Prasad and four principals.