Chandigarh, May 7
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to an alleged land fraud case involving builders, real estate companies, and their associates. According to officials, searches were conducted at around a dozen locations in Mohali and Chandigarh connected to the Suntec City project, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, Dhir Constructions and other linked entities. The probe is being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED is investigating allegations that certain builders fraudulently obtained Change of Land Use permissions from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority and later defaulted on payments due to the authority. Officials also suspect that investors were cheated after crores of rupees were allegedly collected through the projects.
Among those under the scanner is Nitin Gohal, who is alleged to have helped builders avoid GMADA dues and arrange political protection. Officials claimed that Gohal is linked to Rajbir Ghuman, the Officer on Special Duty to the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann.
During the raids, a major incident was reported from Mohali’s Kharar area where bags allegedly filled with Rs 500 currency notes were found lying on the ground outside a residential society. Sources said the bags were suspected to have been thrown from a flat in a high-rise building during the ED operation.
Videos showing scattered bundles of cash later surfaced on social media and quickly went viral. Officials said the agency is examining the recovered cash and verifying its value and source.
The raid was reportedly carried out at a flat in Western Towers, Kharar.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also reacted to the development through posts on X, alleging that the recovered cash was linked to close associates of the Chief Minister’s OSD. He claimed the raids could lead to a major political expose. However, the Punjab government has not issued an official response to the allegations so far.
The ED has stepped up action in Punjab over the past few weeks in cases involving politically connected individuals. Earlier, the agency conducted searches linked to Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora and former AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, who recently joined the BJP along with six other party MPs.
The latest raids have added to the political heat in Punjab as the state moves closer to the 2027 Assembly elections.
