New Delhi, September 3
The enforcement Directorate (ED), Ranchi has provisionally attached immovable assets worth Rs. 1.63 crores belonging to Pramod Kumar Singh and his family under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by ACB, Dhanbad under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and IPC, 1860 against Pramod Kumar Singh and others for disproportionate assets and also for the misappropriation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) funds. Pramod Kumar Singh was employed by Primary Health Centre on contractual basis as Block Account Manager.
The agency's investigation revealed that Pramod Kumar Singh and Late Shashi Bhushan Prasad, Medical Officer- In- Charge, who were jointly authorized to withdraw and spend the NRHM funds, misused their official position and misappropriated government money to the tune of Rs. 9.39 Crore (approx.) allocated to Primary Health Centre, Jharia cum Jodapokhar by District Health Society. Pramod Kumar Singh illegally transferred the aforesaid money from two bank accounts of Primary Health Centre (PHC), Jharia cum Jodapokhar, Dhanbad and one bank account of PHC Management Society, Jodapokhar into his bank accounts or bank accounts of his family/associates. It is also revealed that Pramod Kumar Singh acquired movable and immovable properties in the name of himself, his wife Priya Singh & his associates through the proceeds of crime derived/ obtained directly out of the scheduled offence and related criminal activity and projected the same as untainted.
ED had earlier carried out 06 searches and one survey in the above case and incriminating evidences were seized.
The searches have resulted in recovery and seizure of three high-end luxurious vehicles and cash of Rs. 2.17 lakhs from the residential premises of Pramod Kumar Singh and further freezing of Rs. 4 lakh of bank account’s balance.
