ED Detains Pramod Singh, Mastermind of Jharkhand NRHM Fraud
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Pramod Kumar Singh from Dhanbad for his involvement in the NRHM scam in Jharkhand, which occurred nearly 13 years ago. The case involves significant fund misappropriation intended for healthcare development.
Key Takeaways
- Pramod Kumar Singh arrested for NRHM scam.
- Scam involved embezzlement of Rs 6.97 crore.
- Singh was previously an account manager for NRHM.
- ED conducted raids and seized cash and assets.
- Investigation reveals fraudulent activities since 2011-12.
Ranchi, Feb 19 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has apprehended Pramod Kumar Singh, a resident of Dhanbad, in relation to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) fraud in Jharkhand, which transpired almost 13 years ago.
The fraudulent activities involve the alleged misappropriation of funds intended for enhancing primary healthcare infrastructure within the state.
Singh, who previously worked as an account manager under contract for NRHM, has reportedly accumulated significant wealth primarily through his coal business.
Although he received 12 summons from the ED’s zonal office in Ranchi, his failure to comply for questioning resulted in his arrest in Dhanbad.
The ED presented Singh to a PMLA court in Ranchi, requesting a seven-day remand for interrogation; however, the court approved only three days of custody.
The Jharkhand Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had previously filed an FIR against 10 individuals, including Pramod Kumar Singh, for purportedly embezzling Rs 6.97 crore designated for a Primary Health Centre (PHC) under the NRHM during the financial year 2011-12. Singh is suspected of being the principal architect behind this financial misconduct, accused of misappropriating funds intended for healthcare directly into his personal bank accounts.
Investigations by the ED have uncovered that Singh not only siphoned funds from 10 different PHC accounts into his own but also transferred money into the account of his spouse, Priya Singh.
Following the revelation of the scam, he was dismissed from his NRHM role.
The ED initiated its investigation in 2023. During raids conducted in July and August 2024 at various locations associated with Singh and other implicated individuals, officials seized critical documents and cash amounting to Rs 2.17 lakh.
In September 2024, the ED also confiscated assets worth Rs 1.63 crore linked to Singh and his family.
The ED's investigation has unveiled that Singh, along with another accused, Shashi Bhushan Prasad (now deceased), exploited their official capacities to fraudulently withdraw Rs 9.39 crore from NRHM resources.
