CHANDIGARH: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed searches across various sites in Punjab and Chandigarh on Thursday as part of a money laundering inquiry involving certain builders and real estate firms linked to a suspected land fraud scheme, officials reported.
Approximately a dozen locations in Mohali and Chandigarh associated with the Suntec City project, and firms such as Ajay Sehgal, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, and Dhir Constructions are currently under examination under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Sources indicate that a person named Nitin Gohal is also being investigated by the ED, as he is accused of assisting builders who failed to pay fees to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), and arranging political protection for them.
Furthermore, Gohal has been identified as having ties to Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The accused are facing charges of fraud in the procurement of Change of Land Use (CLU) licenses from GMADA, with allegations of having deceived the public by collecting substantial funds from investors.
In Kharar, Mohali, two bags filled with cash in Rs 500 denominations were reportedly found on the ground, allegedly discarded from a flat in a residential complex following the ED raid, according to sources.
Several bundles of cash were also reported to be scattered on the premises of the residential society.
A video displaying bags of cash on the ground has gone viral across social media platforms.
The sources reported that the ED conducted a raid at the flat in Western Towers, Kharar.
However, it remains unclear if the cash discovered is directly linked to the ED’s investigation in Punjab related to the alleged land fraud case.
As of now, the ED has not verified the reports concerning the cash bags that were allegedly thrown from a flat in Kharar.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia commented on X regarding the discovered cash bags.
“Crores of money, with Rs 500 notes flying in the air. Who does this money belong to—OSD CM Mann Rajbir Singh? ‘Kattar Fraudsters’ caught in the ED’s net. ED raids on CM Bhagwant Mann’s close aide OSD Rajbir Ghuman’s associates and relatives Nitin, Veer, and Davinder,” posted Majithia in Punjabi.
“ED raids Mohali high-rise linked to CM Mann’s aide; Rs 500 notes flying around after bags were thrown from the 9th floor. Crores of money tossed out from the 9th floor, with cash raining down after the ED raid on CM Mann’s close aide’s relatives. Major hawala transactions uncovered,” he added.
