The Enforcement Directorate has sought sanction from the state government to prosecute IAS officer Pooja Singhal in the money laundering case.

The ED had accused Singhal, a former secretary in the state Mines Department, of money laundering. A special court granted her bail on December 7 last year. 

Pooja Singhal was suspended on May 12, 2022, a day after her arrest by the ED. However, the suspension of IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was in jail for over two years in the same money laundering case, was revoked by the state government on January 22 after she secured bail. 

Now, while she is awaiting posting in the rank of Principal Secretary, the fate of Pooja Singhal hangs on the stand taken by the state government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.  

As per the The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) 2023: Chapter XV: Section 218, the central agency has to get approval from the state government under whose jurisdiction, a public servant like Pooja Singhal is officiating, to prosecute her.

Hence, if Soren government gives its nod, the ED will submit it before the PMLA court to prosecute her. 

In case, the Soren government declined to do so, the ED can not move forward in the court against Pooja Singhal and can only 

only move the appropriate court to get justice.