New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recovered over Rs 19 crore in cash from two close associates of Jharkhand IAS officer Pooja Singhal.
The ED had conducted raids in connection with a case involving corruption and misuse of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme and the money was reportedly discovered during this raid.
A total of 19.31 crores was confiscated by the ED on May 6. 17 crores were recovered from Pooja Singhal's chartered accountant, Suman Kumar, while another 1.8 crores was reportedly discovered from a different location.
An ED officer stated that incriminating documents were also discovered from the home of the IAS officer during searches.
A search operation had been initiated by the Enforcement Directorate on May 6 in Jharkhand and four other states in connection with a case related to corruption and misuse of MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) fund to the tune of Rs 18 crores.
As per reports, the cash which was collected on May 6 were counted by using three-note counting machines. Large bundles of Rs 2000, Rs 500, Rs 200, and Rs 100 notes were seized by the police during the raid.
IAS Pooja Singhal's home and office had been thoroughly searched by the ED on May 6. The agency also searched several organizations and individuals in Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mumbai.
Pooja Singhal currently holds the post of mines and geology secretary in the Jharkhand government.
Officials may review papers related to recent allotments following the ED's action against the IAS officer, who is in charge of the mining lease license in Jharkhand.
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