VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, May 21: Sahibganj District mining officer Bibhuti Kumar is learnt to have requested the Enforcement Directorate to grant him another 15 days to appear before the ED in connection with the money laundering probe against the suspended mining secretary Pooja Singhal.
The ED secured her custody for another five days to quiz and confront her with mining officers of three districts, including Bibhuti Kumar. He is the only officer who has not been questioned by the ED in connection with money laundering through illegal mining.
But it is not clear whether the ED will give him such a long duration and allow him to play hide and seek games with the investigation agency. Earlier he was summoned along with the mining officials of Pakur Pradeep Sah and Krishna Kumar Kisku of Dumka. But Bibhuti Kumar sought time on personal grounds and said that he is on leave till May 20 for the marriage ceremony of his daughter. He was granted time and the ED directed him to join the probe right after his leave period was over.
The ED wants to quiz and confront them with Pooja Singhal as the ED has sniffed that money laundering is done through illegal mining in these three districts and these three officials are suspected of having their hands in gloves with mining mafias.
On being contacted over the phone as well as through the WhatsApp message a person identifying himself as his subordinate said that Bibhuti Kumar is busy in video conferencing meetings. There is no way to confirm whether or not he has been summoned and if yes then when he is expected to turn up for questioning.
On being contacted, Sahibganj DC Ramniwas Yadav said that Bibhuti Kumar has joined the office. “He has joined his office today. He must be in his office. But I don’t know whether the ED issued him a summon or not. He has not given me anything in writing that he has to go to Ranchi in connection with any case,” said the Sahibganj DC.
