The Enforcement Directorate has asked the mining officers of Dumka, Sahebganj and Palamu to
appear before the agency office in Ranchi for their questioning in the matter related to money
laundering probe against IAS Pooa Singhal.
They have been asked to come to the agency office at 10:30 a.m. on May 16. According to
information the mining officer of Dumka named as K.K Kiski, Anand Kumar of Palamu and Bibhuti
Kumar of Sahebganj are among the first lot of mining officers, who will face the ED in the money
laundering probe.
Bibhuti Kumar is said to have requested the ED for the extension of date of his questioning as there
is a marriage ceremony in his family. In later phases also mining officials of some other districts will
be called.
Puja Singhal was the mining secretary as well as managing director of JSMDC when she was arrested
by the central agency on the charge of money laundering. She was later on suspended. However, the
ED initially booked her for her role in the MGNREGA scam in Khunti district. But during the probe the
agency got many incriminating documents and evidence that suggest that a powerful lobby is
involved in illegal mining. During the hearing of the PIL the ED told the court that during the course
of Investigation of the case against Pooja Singhal the ED has got many things which are very
explosive in nature. The ED got complaints that money laundering has been done through illegal
mining. Hence, the ED is examining all such matters.
Meanwhile, the questioning of Pooja Singhal, her husband Abhishek Jha and chartered accountant
Suman Singh continued and their statements were cross checked. The ED officials asked questions
related to investments in the Pulse Hospital besides other projects which Abhishek Jha had planned
to start.