In a recent hearing, the Jharkhand High Court directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a reply concerning the bail application of former IAS officer Puja Singhal, who was arrested in May 2022. Singhal, implicated in a significant money laundering case, had her properties raided by the central agency, which is linked to allegations of illegal gains accrued during her tenure in various governmental capacities, including as the mines secretary.
After a special PMLA court in Ranchi rejected her initial bail plea on September 26, Singhal escalated the matter to the high court, which has scheduled the next hearing for November 22. This legal battle follows the Supreme Court’s April dismissal of her bail plea, labeling the circumstances of her case as “extraordinary.”
The Supreme Court’s bench, including Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Dipankar Datta, pointed out the severe nature of the charges against Singhal and noted the substantial cash amount recovered in the raids. The apex court had also remarked on the prolonged hospital stays during her custody, highlighting that out of 687 days, Singhal spent 481 days in medical care.
The allegations against Singhal involve corruption connected to the implementation of MGNREGA and other instances of illegal mining. The ED claims the seizure of over Rs 36 crore in cash related to these activities, implicating not only Singhal but also her husband and associates, including a chartered accountant.
