NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized immovable properties valued at Rs 82 crore in relation to an alleged extensive real estate scam linked to the commercial project “Ansal Hub-83” in Sector-83, Gurugram.
This project encompasses a land area of 19 Kanal 15 Marla (approximately 2.47 acres) and features 147 commercial shops, 137 office spaces, and two restaurant units, as stated by the ED on Thursday.
These properties were attached by the ED’s Gurugram zonal office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The investigation began following an FIR filed by Haryana Police in June 2023 against promoters and senior executives of Ansal Housing Limited (previously Ansal Housing and Construction Ltd) under sections 120-B, 406, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The whole-time director, Kushagra Ansal, along with associated entities Samyak Projects Private Limited and Aakansha Infrastructure Private Limited, were implicated due to a complaint filed by the HUB-83 Allottee Welfare Association which represents over a thousand investors who were misled by “false assurances and misleading representations,” according to ED findings.
Investigations revealed that the project was marketed and commercial units were sold to investors even before obtaining necessary statutory approvals. Despite the project license expiring in December 2015, the developers continued to accept payments and sell units until September 2023 without renewing the license.
Additionally, numerous disgruntled investors have approached the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HRERA) with complaints regarding delays in possession, project non-completion, illegal collections, and the developer’s failure to adhere to statutory obligations.
“Investors were assured timely possession and premium facilities; however, nearly 15 years later, no occupation certificate has been issued, and possession remains unhanded,” stated the ED.
Funds amassed were not utilized for project completion but diverted for other uses and personal gain.
The ongoing ED investigation has uncovered that over Rs 82 crore has been collected from unsuspecting allottees from 2011 to 2023.
The agency has provisionally attached the project land and existing constructions to prevent any transfer, sale, or disposal of the assets, aimed at safeguarding future confiscation under the PMLA.
