Hazaribagh (Jharkhand) [India]March 4 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday seized Rs 3 crore in cash belonging to suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal during a raid at the residence of Hazaribagh resident Mohammad Azhar Ansari.
ED sources said that a group of private companies is controlled by Mohd. Azhar Ansari. ED sources said State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) Ashok Kumar Singh.
In 2007, the state government had brought a policy to provide coal to small and medium enterprises at cheap rates through coal mines of companies of central government undertakings.
JSMDC became the nodal agency for supply of coal to such small and medium enterprises.
ED raids are going on at many places in Jharkhand. Sources said that raids are being conducted at 14 places in Ranchi and Hazaribagh. In May, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Jharkhand Mines Secretary Pooja Singhal in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds and other charges.
That was the second arrest in the case as the ED has already arrested chartered accountant Suman Kumar on May 7. The ED recovered Rs 17.51 crore from Kumar’s premises and Rs 1.8 crore from Pulse Hospital. Singhal was arrested after credible evidence was found of his links with CA Suman Kumar.
Pooja Singhal is the Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology and Managing Director, Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (JSMDC). Further investigation is underway. (ANI).
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