NEW DELHI: As part of an investigation into a money laundering case involving the alleged misappropriation of MGNREGA funds, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches at 24 locations throughout Jharkhand. The raids began early on Tuesday and are still going on.

As per reports, the raids are being conducted at the premises of Virender Ram, an official working with Jharkhand's Rural Development Ministry.

Pooja Singhal, a suspended IAS employee, had properties worth Rs 82 crore attached by the ED in connection with the case last December. Several FIRs filed by the Jharkhand Police and the state's Vigilance Bureau served as the foundation for the ED's initial probe.

"Investigations found that commission payments made as part of the MNREGA scam's proceeds of crime (POC) were put into several bank accounts owned by Pooja Singhal and her family members. The aforementioned POC was combined and piled with the other unaccounted money Singhal made by abusing her position of authority, "the ED asserted.

According to the ED, POC was initially only generated from the MNREGA scam, but it was later combined with other unaccounted funds obtained from Pooja Singhal's corrupt activities. These funds were then layered as investments, and more money was made from them both through legal profit-making and by further infusion of POC.

The agency claimed that Singhal amassed enormous wealth through this mode of operation, which was out of proportion to her known source of income. The agency also claimed that the funds used to invest in these immovable properties were primarily derived from POC, or POC-related, unaccounted cash profits.

The ED detained Singhal on May 11, 2022, and on July 5, a complaint was filed against her.

In accordance with section 66(2) of the PMLA, the Jharkhand government has already been informed of the evidence regarding the aforementioned corrupt practise in order for it to consider taking action against Singhal and others.

In this case, Singhal is currently being held in judicial custody along with the other two arrested individuals.Three complaints for prosecution have been submitted. Further investigation into the matter is underway.

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