ED Grills Hazaribagh Coal Trader Izhar Ansari

Enforcement Directorate investigates Izhar Ansari, a coal trader from Hazaribagh, uncovering alleged irregularities in coal linkages tied to Pooja Singhal case.

RANCHI – Izhar Ansari, a coal trader from Hazaribagh, was extensively questioned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at their headquarters.

The inquiry, which is still underway, lasted for over four hours.

Insiders suggest that the probe into the Pooja Singhal case led the ED to conduct a raid at Izhar Ansari’s premises in Hazaribagh.

They found that Ansari had secured coal linkages on behalf of 13 firms, with CA Suman Kumar’s help.

As the investigation progressed, the ED unearthed significant evidence at Ansari’s residence.

They found that the industries tied to the coal linkages had not been operational for years, as suggested by their electricity bills.

The raid also led to a cash seizure amounting to Rs 3 crore from Ansari’s home.

There were signs suggesting the use of a former MLA’s funds in his business transactions.

The ED’s inquiry disclosed that 14072.7 metric tonnes of coal were allotted to a small-scale industry linked to nine of Izhar’s firms in the fiscal year 2019-20.

However, in 2020-21, coal linkages were received by only three of the 13 companies.

Izhar Ansari was summoned by the ED for questioning on June 16 and was called into their office.

It’s worth noting that a 22-hour raid was previously conducted at Izhar Ansari’s residence in Millat Colony, Pelawal, Hazaribagh by the ED on March 3.

The ongoing probe seeks to unveil more details about the Pooja Singhal case and the alleged inconsistencies connected to coal linkages.