ED raids locations linked to Jharkhand mining secretary, others in four states

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at 18 locations, including premises linked to

Jharkhand

mining department secretary

Pooja Singhal

, in connection with a money laundering case and seized huge amount of unaccounted cash. There is no clarity about the location from where the cash was seized.

The raids were held at locations in Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi. Several teams of ED’s Mumbai zonal office are leading the raids with the help of other zonal offices.

The money laundering case is based on a fraud case related to MGNREGA.

It was alleged that a former Jharkhand junior engineer, Ram Sinha, embezzled Rs 18 crore from the rural employment scheme's funds in

Khunti

district of the state.

Earlier, the ED had arrested Sinha and during his questioning, names of several companies and individuals, including Pooja Singhal emerged. Subsequently, the Central agency decided to raid their premises to collect evidences.

Pooja Singhal is known to be among close confidante of the Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren.

A few days ago, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had sent a notice to Soren seeking his reply on the allegation of mine lease issued to him. Soren also holds the charge of Jharkhand mining and environment ministry.

The ECI has initiated action against Soren under the Representation of the People Act on complaint from his opponents.

Earlier, a former Jharkhand chief minister had alleged that Soren had misused his post to get mining lease on his name which violates the the Representation of the People Act.