Chandigarh, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the Manesar land scam by conducting significant raids on properties associated with Ravinder Taneja, the chairman of the TDI Group. This operation, carried out by the ED’s Chandigarh Zone-I, took place on September 28 as part of an ongoing inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Ravinder Taneja holds multiple leadership roles within the TDI Group, including managing director positions at TDI Infratech Limited and TDI Infrastructure Limited. The investigation into the Manesar land scandal was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It focuses on alleged transactions involving TDI Group’s Atul Bansal and companies within his ABWIL group.
The ED’s findings indicate that over 400 acres of land in the villages of Manesar, Naurangpur, and Lakhnoala were notified for acquisition by the state government in 2007. Allegations suggest that private builders and intermediaries took advantage of the situation, purchasing land from farmers at significantly low prices due to fears of acquisition. Subsequently, the acquisition process was halted, and the award was withdrawn, allowing these intermediaries to sell the land at inflated prices for substantial profits.
The ED has identified the TDI Group, led by Taneja, as a key intermediary in this scheme. Between 2005 and 2007, during the land acquisition process in these villages, the TDI Group allegedly utilized Indo Asian Construction Company Private Limited, NCR Properties Private Limited, and Divya Jyoti Enterprises Private Limited to acquire land.
It is claimed that approximately 33 acres of land were purchased from farmers through these companies, which were then sold at higher prices to the Atul Bansal group, generating significant profits.
The ED’s search operations extended over three days at locations in New Delhi and SAS Nagar. During these raids, the agency uncovered numerous records related to alleged irregularities and illegal activities within other TDI Group projects. These documents are currently under scrutiny.
In addition to seizing dozens of project-related files, the ED confiscated digital devices, computers, hard drives, and servers. Luxury vehicles were also identified as proceeds of crime and seized.
The investigation agency is now examining the seized records, suspicious assets, and financial transactions linked to TDI Group companies. Further actions will be determined based on the evidence uncovered during the investigation.
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