CHANDIGARH: The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Gurugram Zonal Office announced on Wednesday the provisional attachment of six immovable properties associated with the Ansal family, valued at ₹10.55 crore, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
These properties are reportedly owned by directors and beneficiary owners of M/s Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd (APIL): Sushil Ansal, Pranav Ansal, and Kusum Ansal.
The action follows the company’s failure to repay environmental compensation mandated by various environmental agencies due to violations of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The attached properties include commercial units and spaces. Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd is involved in the real estate development sector, focusing on residential, commercial, and retail segments.
The ED initiated the investigation based on complaints filed by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) regarding scheduled offenses outlined in Section 43 of the Water Act and Section 37 of the Air Act. These offenses pertain to APIL’s non-compliance with environmental regulations in two real estate projects located in Gurugram: Sushant Lok-I and Esencia.
Investigations revealed that APIL failed to install a sewage treatment plant (STP) for the Sushant Lok Phase-I project, discharging effluents into the HUDA sewer line. Additionally, the STP at its Esencia project was found to have inadequate capacity.
During inspections, HSPCB officials discovered that the installed STPs were left abandoned without operation and maintenance.
The ED’s findings indicated that by not properly treating domestic effluent and untreated sewage, APIL caused significant harm to public health and the environment while profiting from these illegal activities. The promoters reportedly did not adhere to HSPCB norms, leading to undue financial gains amounting to ₹10.55 crore, which the ED classified as proceeds of crime from these ongoing violations.
