Dhanbad: A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday raided the house of coal trader Pramod Singh in a case related to National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam worth Rs 6.97 crore and disproportionate assets. Though the ED officials are not ready to say anything on record, Pramod is being interrogated to ascertain involvement of other NRHM officials and sources indicated that ED might arrest him.
The ED had earlier raided him along with his four other associates on July 4 and was directed to report for further interrogation at ED Ranchi office on July 11. But despite repeated summons he did not turn up for interrogation after which the ED reached his residence on Tuesday morning. The ED during its raid on July 4 seized two luxury vehicles, three mobile phones, his laptop and some incriminating documents, including papers related to purchase of land.
The NRHM scam first came to light in 2016 and the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) lodged a formal case of embezzlement of Rs 6.97 crore against 10 people, including two former civil surgeons of Dhanbad, Pramod Kumar Singh and Ashwini Sharma in 2019. It is alleged that while working as an accountant on contractual basis under NRHM, Pramod embezzled crores of rupees in connivance with senior officials of the health department.
Pramod and Ashwini who were removed as NRHM contractual employees, are on bail and started coal trade after which they reportedly amassed huge wealth, sources said. The ACB had reportedly seized his th.
