IAS Pooja Singhal And Her Husband Arrested In MNREGA Scam, ED Action After Long Interrogation

Ranchi, 11th May 2022: Jharkhand’s Mining Secretary IAS Pooja Singhal and her husband Abhishek Jha were arrested on Wednesday evening.

Singhal appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Khunti for the second day in a row in connection with a money laundering investigation into the suspected misappropriation of MGNREGA funds and other claims. Both of them were arrested after being interrogated face to face.

Both were brought to the Sadar Hospital for health check-ups after their arrest. According to the doctor, both were completely healthy during the initial examination.

Following the raids on the homes of Pooja Singhal’s close relatives, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted two days of interrogation.

Earlier, Pooja Singhal’s husband Abhishek Jha was questioned by the ED for two consecutive days. Both the question and answer asked to Abhishek Jha and his CA Suman have been noted. All the information related to his assets, sources of income, occupation and income of family members was taken from Abhishek Jha.

Pooja Singhal has also got leave from the government. She applied for leave in the department on Monday. She has taken leave till May 30. While sanctioning her leave, preparations are on to give responsibility to 2 office bearers.

The ED has received information that many officers of DMO rank were patronized by Mines Secretary Pooja Singhal. District Mining Officer (DMO) rank officers posted in many districts were also given additional charges. ED officials have got information that DMO rank officers used to transport huge amounts to Ranchi. It is feared that only a major part of the extortion has been recovered from the flat of CA Suman Kumar.

It has been learned that an officer in Palamu has been retained in the post of Deputy Director Mines even after his transfer. At the same time, there have been reports of heavy recovery of money monthly.

During the interrogation, CA Suman Kumar could not give any specific information regarding 19.31 crores. The statement was also being changed repeatedly by Suman Kumar.

According to ED officials, sufficient evidence of money laundering has been found against Suman. During interrogation, Abhishek Jha also remained embroiled in the questions of the ED. He did not openly answer the questions of the ED.