The Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court of Prabhat Kumar Sharma has extended the remand period of suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal and her chartered accountant Suman Singh for another four days.
Singhal and Suman Sigh arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with embezzlement MNREGA of funds, where produced by investigating agency at Sharma’s Court on Monday. The ED had sought nine days remand of Pooja Singhal, while five days remand of Suman Singh, but the court granted them four days remand.
Both Singhal and Suman Singh’s remand period expired on Monday. The ED secured the police remand of Suman Singh for third consecutive term, whereas in the case of Pooja Singhal it is for second time that the investigating agency got her police remand extended.
The investigating agency after getting extension in remand period will now question Singhal and Suman in presence of district mining officers of Pakur, Sahibganj and Dumka.
The Enforcement Directorate suspects the role of the district mining officers of Dumka, Pakur Sahibganj in the money laundering through illegal mining.
On Monday, the mining officers of Dumka Krishan Chandra Kisku and Pradeep Kumar Sah of Pakur turned up at the Ranchi office of the agency after they were summoned.
However, the mining officer of Sahibganj Vibhuti Kumar, has requested the ED to give him some time as he is busy in the marriage of his daughter and he is on leave till May 20.
The Investigating agency in its remand petition pleaded that they have come across some vital evidence in this case which needs verification and cross examining. The ED also told the Court that money laundering was done through illegal mining and she was the secretary of the mining department as well as managing director of the JSMSC.
On Sunday, the ED summoned former treasurer of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Ravi Kejriwal for questioning. Kejriwal quietly came to the zonal office of the ED around 2 p.m. He was spotted by media persons but he managed to go inside the ED office. He is said to have been summoned in the ongoing money laundering case in which IAS Pooja Singhal has been arrested.
Meanwhile, sources said that Pooja Singhal’s husband Abhishek Jha is likely to become government witness in the case as he is fully cooperating with ED. He is providing information to ED. For the last ten days, he has been commuting in the ED's office throughout the day. He has also given the documents related to investment in Pulse Hospital to the ED. If ED sources are to be believed, then Abhishek Jha can become a government witness.
Suspended IAS Pooja Singhal's troubles will increase if Abhishek Jha becomes a government witness. Abhishek Jha has complete information about money transactions, investments etc. In such a situation, ED officials will get everything easily.