Mohali: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) continued its large-scale search operation for the second consecutive day on Friday in connection with an alleged change of land use (CLU) fraud and money laundering case linked to major real estate projects in Punjab. The raids were carried out across several locations in Mohali, New Chandigarh and Chandigarh as the agency widened its investigation into alleged illegal approvals, forged documents and cheating of investors and landowners.
According to officials, the ED conducted searches at 12 more locations on Friday. These included the offices, homes and business premises of several builders and alleged middlemen, including Nitin Gohal and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa. The agency had already searched 10 locations on Thursday linked to Suntec City, Altus Space Builders, ABS Townships and Dhir Constructions.
The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED officials said the agency has so far seized around ₹1 crore in cash during the raids.
The case is connected to allegations that fake documents and forged signatures were used to obtain CLU approvals for large housing and commercial projects in New Chandigarh. The ED probe is based on FIRs registered by Punjab Police in 2022 and 2024 against two real estate firms.
Officials believe that landowners were cheated through forged consent letters while investors and buyers were misled during the development of major projects.
According to the ED, the main allegations involve Suntec City, also known as the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society, and Altus Space Builders Private Limited. The agency claimed that promoters of the projects used forged signatures and fake thumb impressions of landowners to obtain approvals from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
Investigators alleged that Suresh Kumar Bajaj and Ajay Sehgal prepared fake consent documents related to nearly 30.5 acres of land belonging to 15 landowners. Using these documents, they allegedly secured permission for the development of the Suntec City mega housing project in New Chandigarh.
The ED said that after obtaining approvals, the society enrolled buyers and collected more than ₹150 crore from members without properly executing sale deeds. Officials suspect that large amounts of money generated from these projects may have been illegally routed or hidden.
Apart from Suntec City, the agency is also examining projects called “La Canela” and “District 7,” which were allegedly developed using approvals obtained through forged papers. According to investigators, all units in these projects were sold, generating large financial gains.
The ED is also looking into possible irregularities related to Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) approvals connected to the District 7 commercial complex.
The raids have created major political controversy in Punjab. Opposition parties alleged that one of the individuals under investigation, Nitin Gohal, has close links with people connected to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government. However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann denied the allegations.
Punjab cabinet minister and AAP state president Aman Arora also came under political attack after the ED mentioned his friendship with businessman Gaurav Dhir of Dhir Constructions. Arora denied having any connection with the business activities of Dhir.
During a press conference in Chandigarh, Arora said that although Gaurav Dhir is his friend, he has no role in his business matters. He even challenged the ED to examine his mobile phone and question him if necessary.
ALSO READ: US court strikes down Trump’s global tariffs, calls them illegal
ALSO READ: US ends ‘Operation Epic Fury’ against Iran but tensions remain high
The case became even more sensational after a dramatic incident during Thursday’s raids at Western Towers in Kharar, where Nitin Gohal resides. According to reports, two bags containing ₹21 lakh in cash were thrown from the ninth floor of the building after ED officials arrived.
One of the bags reportedly burst open after hitting the ground, scattering ₹500 currency notes in the air. Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms and attracted massive public attention.
On Friday morning, ED officials were again seen entering the building carrying empty bags while the search operation continued. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel remained deployed around the residential complex for security purposes.
Officials reportedly worked in shifts throughout the day as the searches continued for more than 24 hours. Sources also claimed that Gohal’s children were escorted to school under security arrangements during the ongoing operation.
Fresh raids were also conducted at the residence of alleged liaisoner Pritpal Singh Dhindsa in Phase 4, Mohali. ED teams also searched his office in Industrial Area Phase 1 and the headquarters of Altus Space in Phase 10.
Investigators suspect that Gohal and Dhindsa acted as intermediaries between builders and government officials to help real estate developers obtain approvals and clearances. According to sources, both men were allegedly close to a senior officer in Punjab’s housing and urban development department.
The ED believes these middlemen may have played a major role in facilitating official permissions for large real estate projects.
Meanwhile, amid the ongoing investigation, the Punjab government transferred Kharar municipal council executive officer Sukhdev Singh to Mallanwala Khas in Ferozepur district. Though no official reason was given for the transfer, it came during the middle of the ED investigation and attracted public attention.
The agency is expected to continue its investigation in the coming days. Officials are now examining financial records, land documents, approval files and money transactions linked to the real estate projects.
The case has raised serious questions about land approvals, government clearances and possible corruption in Punjab’s real estate sector. Political parties are also using the issue to target each other ahead of future elections.
As the investigation moves forward, more raids and questioning of builders, officials and middlemen are expected. The ED has not ruled out further action if additional evidence of money laundering or illegal approvals is found during the probe.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash