The special PMLA court in Ranchi on Friday accepted the prayer of Enforcement Directorate to extend police remand IAS officer Pooja Singhal in the money laundering case. She was produced along with Chartered accountant Suman Singh whose remand period was over on Friday. The enforcement directorate said that Suman Singh may be sent in judicial custody but the ED custody of Pooja Singhal is required.
This is for the third time the ED secured her remand for questioning. ED lawyer BMP Singh informed the court that during interrogation Pooja Singhal always complains of having some health issues like blood pressure and headache. The ED provides all medical support and treatment whenever required. But, due to such frequent medical issues the custody period is wasted and the agency faces problems.
The ED said it needs to question her about the source of money and assets raised by her. The digital devices and mobile phones of accused persons were confiscated and these were sent to a forensic laboratory. The enforcement directorate has received a working copy of the data retrieved from electronic devices and it wants to cross check details with Pooja Singhal.
The ED further informed the court that the mining officers of three districts have been noticed and they have been asked to appear before the agency for questioning. The mining officers of Dumka and Pakur districts have recorded their statements but the mining officer of Sahibganj district has sought time on personal ground.
The ED is going to send notice to another district mining officer for questioning along with Pooja Singhal in the matter related to illegal mining of stones and sand. It wants to record the statement of Sahibganj mining officer Vibhuti Kumar in front of Pooja Singhal.
The ED said that it wants to further question Pooja Singhal regarding construction of Pulse Hospital, which is owned by her husband Abhishek Jha.
She was represented by her lawyer Biswajit Mukherjee, who opposed extension of police remand. Mukharjee said that his client is being targeted and a media trial is going on against her that needs to be stopped. He said that everything is reported in the media including her health, which is the violation of privacy and dignity of a woman. He requested the court to pass directions against the media trial of Pooja Singhal.