ED Conducts Raids at 26 Locations in Connection with Greater Mohali Development Authority Case

Chandigarh, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a significant operation involving raids at 26 locations across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and Ludhiana. This action is part of an investigation into money laundering linked to Tirupati Infra Projects Private Limited and associated entities.

Raids were conducted at the premises of several firms, including Remiget Build Estates (India) Private Limited and MB Infrabuild Private Limited. The ED also surveyed offices of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the Punjab government’s Housing and Urban Development Department under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to the ED, the surveys aimed to collect evidence related to the accused organizations, later transitioning into searches to seize potentially incriminating electronic devices and materials. The investigation was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which accused the promoters of Tirupati Infra Projects of a bank fraud amounting to ₹238 crores.

Preliminary investigations revealed extensive cash transactions, fraudulent share premiums, and various other financial irregularities. The agency has alleged that the promoters, Jagmohan Garg and Manmohan Garg, have been linked to multiple scandals, including the NSEIL scam. Allegations also include illegal waivers of dues owed to GMADA and the reallocation of canceled plots.

The ED claims that Remiget Infra Developers Private Limited gained approximately ₹57 crores through the illegal waiver of statutory dues, suggesting possible collusion with senior GMADA officials. Relevant information has already been shared with law enforcement agencies under Section 66(2) of the PMLA.

The raids targeted several high-ranking officials, including IAS officers and directors associated with the implicated companies. The ED has accused Aam Aadmi Party leaders, Satyendar Jain and Manish Sisodia, of holding informal meetings with GMADA officials concerning master plans and site auctions.

It is alleged that significant decisions regarding new auctions, acquisitions, and compensation were made informally under Jain’s direction. The ED claims that senior GMADA officials would transport important files to a residence in Chandigarh for discussions on policy changes that allegedly favored private individuals.

The residence in question is reportedly allocated to Jain and Sunny Singh Ahluwalia, the Chairman of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. The ED asserts this location was used by Jain to exert influence over GMADA operations, resulting in losses to the government treasury.

Additionally, the agency alleges that Jain’s Officer on Special Duty, Amarendra Jha, operated within GMADA without an official position, impacting key decisions and benefiting politicians and private individuals financially.

During the investigation, the ED discovered chats on seized mobile phones related to alleged hawala transactions involving relatives of Punjab government politicians. The agency has also pointed out that Teela Consultancy Limited, controlled by Kirti Sadhu Bas and Archana Jha, was involved in irregularities concerning land acquisition and compensation under the 2013 Act.

The ED has reported numerous irregularities related to compensation payments during the searches. Allegations include unauthorized transfer deeds despite notifications under land acquisition laws and discrepancies in issuing letters of intent.

Furthermore, the agency claims that GMADA’s unsold land bank reserve prices were improperly reduced before auctions, potentially costing the authority and the Punjab government around ₹10,000 crores while benefiting builders and politicians.

Despite the extensive searches, the ED clarified that GMADA offices remained open to the public, and there were no restrictions on the movement of officials, employees, or citizens. The engineering, administration, and budget wings of GMADA continued their operations as usual.

The investigation is ongoing, and the ED is expected to release further findings as they unravel the complexities of this high-profile case.