ED conducts raids in Punjab in case linked to ₹137cr. guava orchards compensation ‘scam’
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in multiple cities of Punjab as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged ₹137crore guava orchards compensation scam, official sources said.
Premises in Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala, Ferozepur and Bathinda were raided by the agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.
Various news media platforms also broadcast visuals of searches being carried out at the residences of senior officers, including Punjab Excise
News media platforms broadcast visuals of searches being carried out at the residences of senior officers
Commissioner Varun Roojam and Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman.
However, there was no confirmation by the ED.
The case stems from a Punjab Vigilance Bureau FIR pertaining to alleged embezzlement of nearly ₹137 crore released as compensation for guava orchards on land acquired by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
The bureau had arrested about 20 persons, including some Horticulture department officials, in the case, the sources said.
The GMADA had in 2016 published notices in Mohali for acquisition of land of various villages and later also issued notifications in this regard. An alleged accused, property dealer Bhupinder Singh, “in connivance with” some officials of the GMADA, Revenue and Horticulture departments, started planting guava orchards on the land by getting it on general power of attorneys, as per an old statement issued by the bureau.
Mr. Singh along with one Mukesh Jindal and some others got land compensation worth crores of rupees by showing that they owned the orchards.