ED top shot Niranjan Singh retires, faces probe as ‘parting gift’

Jalandhar, May 31

On a day Deputy Director, Enforcement Directorate, Niranjan Singh, who handled high-profile drug cases and summoned bigwigs, including Punjab ministers, retired from service, the Ministry of Finance today issued a chargesheet and ordered a probe against him for allegedly failing to maintain integrity and misusing office over a case related to singer Diljit Dosanjh. The ED functions under the ministry.

Could have achieved more

I believe I could have achieved more. I had desired better results out of all my investigations. – Niranjan Singh, Deputy Director (retd), ED

As per the chargesheet, the officer was investigating a FEMA case against the singer when he reportedly got him to perform at the wedding of his daughter in November 2016. Then ED Joint Director Girish Bali has been made a witness in the case. Niranjan had allegedly paid the singer Rs 2 lakh, which was quite less given the prevailing amount charged by singers, it claims.

Niranjan said the singer had performed just for an hour and he paid him by cheque. A tough taskmaster, Niranjan during his stint with the ED handled some key cases, including those involving alleged drug lord Raja Kandola, dismissed DSP Jagdish Bhola and some Akali leaders. He even summoned CM Capt Amarinder Singh’s son Raninder Singh twice to his office in the alleged FEMA case. Niranjan remained in the news for taking on his own department. As many as 20 junior team members were transferred on the orders of his seniors, reportedly hampering the pace of investigation. He had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court for a stay on his own transfer while investigating a drugs case. Amid pressure, Niranjan quit his office three years ago, only to rejoin later. On his next plans, he said: “A complete no to politics. I will also not join any other job.” — TNS