Pooja Singhal, a suspended IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, who has been in jail for 28 months on corruption charges, was granted bail today by the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi.
Singhal had requested release from jail based on custody under the new law, which was reviewed in the special court.
During the hearing, the court had instructed the Superintendent of Birsa Munda Central Jail to report on how long Pooja Singhal had been in jail and the duration of her judicial custody.
The jail superintendent submitted a reply to the court, confirming that Singhal had been in jail for approximately 28 months.
According to the new law, if the period of judicial custody for an accused person is one-third of the sentence in a case, they may be granted bail.
Singhal is accused of acquiring illicit funds by abusing her position while serving as the Mines Secretary and Deputy Commissioner in various districts.
The allegations involve corruption linked to the implementation of MGNREGA, the Central Government's flagship rural employment programme.
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