The ED, citing the revocation of Singhal’s suspension, contended that a government role could enable her to misuse her position and influence the case.
Ranchi: The special PMLA court in Ranchi on Friday rejected the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea to bar IAS officer Pooja Singhal from receiving a government posting, providing her significant relief in the money laundering case linked to the MGNREGA scam.
After hearing arguments on Monday, the court reserved its verdict, which was delivered on Friday.
The ED, citing the revocation of Singhal’s suspension, contended that a government role could enable her to misuse her position and influence the case.
ALSO READ: [IAS vs IPS]| Supreme Court Urges Settlement Between IAS and IPS Officers
However, the court dismissed ED’s concerns, asserting that the decision to assign her a posting rests with the state government and does not warrant judicial interference.
ALSO READ: 66 FIRS Against Azam Khan, sons: Delhi HC Rejects PIL against IAS officer
Singhal, a 2000-batch IAS officer, was arrested on 11 May 2022 following a 15-hour ED interrogation over alleged MGNREGA fund embezzlement and other charges. She remained in jail for 28 months before securing bail from a special PMLA court in Ranchi on 7 December 2024.
Key Appointments and Transfers:
- IAS Pooja Singhal (2000 batch), who was waiting for a new posting, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and e-Governance. She will also take on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jharkhand Communication Network Limited (JCNL).
- IAS Mast Ram Meena (1996 batch) has been moved to the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
- IAS Kripanand Jha (2005 batch), who was the Secretary of the Transport Department, is now the Secretary for ST/SC, Minorities, and Backward Class Department.
- IAS Vipra Bhal (2006 batch), who previously served as the Secretary of Information Technology and E-Governance, has been shifted to the Transport Department.
- IAS Arwa Rajkamal, the Secretary of Building Construction, has been given the additional responsibility of Secretary of Mining and Geological Department, Industry, and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation.
- IAS Jitendra Kumar, who was the Secretary of Mining, is now the Secretary of Labour, Employment, and Training.
- IAS Mukesh Kumar, the Secretary of Labour, has been transferred to the Secretary of Planning and Development.
- IAS Rajeshwari B, who was waiting for a posting, has been appointed as the Special Secretary in the Finance Department.
- IAS Saurav Kumar Bhuvania, the Joint Secretary (Finance), has been made the Managing Director of Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Ltd.
- IAS Vijay Kumar Sinha, the Excise Commissioner of Jharkhand, has also been appointed as the Managing Director of Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation.
- IAS Preeti Rani has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of Industries Department.
- IAS Rajesh Prasad is now the Director of Secondary Education.
- Kanchan Singh has been posted as the CEO of Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society.
- IAS Dhananjaya Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Joint Secretary of Finance.
- IAS Sita Pushpa has been made the Joint Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department.
