The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday summoned the former treasurer of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Ravi Kejriwal for questioning.
Kejriwal quietly came to the zonal office of the ED around 2 p.m. He was spotted by media persons but he managed to go inside the ED office. He is said to have been summoned in the ongoing money laundering case in which IAS Pooja Singhal has been arrested. The ED neither confirmed nor the denied reasons behind calling Ravi Kejriwal for questioning. Ravi Kejriwal was expelled from the party about two years back following his anti party activities. He was considered very close to the Shibu Soren family. His questioning has given rise to speculations in political circle whether or not probe is moving to another direction.
Last year, the JMM MLA Ramdas Soren had lodged an FIR against Ravi Kejriwal in Ranchi for allegedly for hatching conspiracy to dislodge the Hemant Soren government.
In another development the Enforcement Directorate has put a hold on various bank accounts of Chartered Accountant Suman Singh and his companies besides that of Abhishek Jha who is husband of Pooja Singhal. He is also a suspect of the money laundering case. Sources said that over a dozen bank accounts have been put on hold where dubious transactions where held.
Pooja Singhal and her Chartered accountant Suman Singh are being questions by the enforcement directorate in police remand. The remand period is set to lapse on Monday. There is all possibility that the enforcement directorate will seek extension of the police remand of Pooja Singhal. While their questioning continued on Sunday, children of Pooja Singhal came to meet her. The code has allowed both arrested accused to meet their family members and lawyer on a given time.
Social said that during questioning Kejriwal has reveals names of some persons who are involved in money laundering along with other accused. The enforcement agency has also launched enquiry into the allegation that money laundering is done through illegal mining across Jharkhand. Pooja Singhal was Secretary of the mining and industry department when she was arrested. Three mining department officials from Dumka, Sahibganj and Palamu have been summoned for questioning. They have been asked to report the ED officials on Monday. The more mining officers are likely to be issued notice by the agency for their questioning.
Caption: Pooja Singhal -1: Security personnel stand outside the Enforcement Directorate office during the ongoing investigation of suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal case, in Ranchi on Sunday. Pix by Vinay Murmu
