Ranchi, May 10: ED’s Adjudicating Authority (AA) upheld the seizure of four properties of Pooja Singhal worth Rs 82 crore. The ED had seized the property last year on December 1 and sent a complaint for confiscation of assets to the adjudicating authority.
The properties include Pulse Super Specialty Hospital, Pulse Diagnostic and Imaging Centre on Bariatu Road at two plots located near Bariatu Road. The ED had started the money laundering probe on the basis of several FIRs lodged by Jharkhand Police and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Investigation revealed that the Proceeds of Crime (POC) arising out of the MGNREGA scam in the form of commission were deposited in various bank accounts of Pooja Singhal and her relatives.
According to the probe agency, the POC initially generated from Mnrega was clubbed with unaccounted money amassed by the corrupt practices of Pooja Singhal and this money was channelled as capital/investment.
Singhal, a 2000 batch IAS officer, was arrested by the ED on May 11 on charges of money laundering related to alleged irregularities in the Mnrega scheme.