By Divyesh Singh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 82.77 crore belonging to suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal and others in Ranchi, Jharkhand on December 1, 2022, in connection with the MGNREGA scam, the Adjudicating Authority confirmed.
The properties include one Super Speciality Hospital namely Pulse Super Speciality Hospital, one diagnostics centre namely Pulse Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, plant and machinery and two land parcels situated in Ranchi.
The ED had initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Jharkhand Police and the Vigilance Bureau, Jharkhand. Investigation revealed that proceeds of crime (POC) generated from the MGNREGA scam were deposited in different bank accounts belonging to Pooja Singhal and her relatives and these funds were also used for purchase/investment in other properties.
ALSO READ | How villagers unfolded Rs 60 crore MGNREGA scam in Punjab
The said POC was intermingled and layered with the other unaccounted money generated by Pooja Singhal, by misusing her official position. Through this modus-operandi, Singhal amassed huge wealth disproportionate to her known source of income and the source of funds invested in these immovable properties was primarily from the unaccounted cash profits.
During the investigation, the ED conducted searches at various premises belonging to Pooja Singhal and her associates on May 6, 2022. During the search, Rs 19.76 crore in cash was unearthed and seized.
Retention of the seized cash along with other seized items was allowed by the Adjudicating Authority vide order dated October 31, 2022. Pooja Singhal was arrested by the ED on May 11, 2022, and a prosecution complaint was filed against her and six others on July 5, 2022, for the commission of the offence of money laundering.
She is currently under judicial custody at Hotwar Jail, Ranchi, after being denied any relief from the Supreme Court in the matter of a bail plea filed by her. Further investigation is underway.
ALSO READ | Ex-village chief faked MGNREGA work, scammed Rs 35 lakh, claim people of Uttarakhand’s Talla Banas
