Suntec City: ED searches GMADA office in Mohali
Mohali : The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted a search at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority ( GMADA ) office in Mohali as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities linked to Suntec City project in New Chandigarh and change of land use (CLU) permissions.
Sources said ED vacated two floors of the office and took mobile phones of senior GMADA officials into custody during the operation. The office of chief engineer was also sealed, sources said, adding that several senior officials — including those dealing with planning, estate and engineering matters — were questioned about the approval process and records relating to the project.
The search was still on at the time this report was filed late evening. The ED team examined official records related to the project, land-use approvals and other permissions and took custody of several files, say sources.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the searches, saying central agencies are targeting GMADA to “stop Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna (cash scheme for women) and other welfare schemes, and to create fear and pressure among govt officers”.
AAP Punjab media In charge Baltej Pannu alleged that the central agency has “increasingly become a political tool of BJP”. “ED’s visits have been continuing for the past few weeks, with only a few months left for the elections. It means that the election process is going well because these days, ED is a wing of BJP… Wherever elections are going to be held, ED goes there first,” he said.
ED has been widening its probe into alleged fraudulent CLU approvals and financial irregularities linked to Suntec City project. The central agency is examining the role of certain officials and the approval process involving the Housing and Urban Development Department and town planning authorities.
The agency has already questioned two Punjab IAS officers in connection with the probe. Kanwal Preet Brar , who served as director, Town and Country Planning in 2024, was questioned on Aug 18 and Aug 27, and former Punjab chief secretary Anurag Verma , who once headed the Housing and Urban Development Department, was questioned this month.
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in the development of Suntec City in the New Chandigarh area, including allegations concerning the use of fraudulent documents and approvals. The ED is also examining the possible money-laundering angle arising from the alleged irregularities.
Sources said ED vacated two floors of the office and took mobile phones of senior GMADA officials into custody during the operation. The office of chief engineer was also sealed, sources said, adding that several senior officials — including those dealing with planning, estate and engineering matters — were questioned about the approval process and records relating to the project.
The search was still on at the time this report was filed late evening. The ED team examined official records related to the project, land-use approvals and other permissions and took custody of several files, say sources.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the searches, saying central agencies are targeting GMADA to “stop Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna (cash scheme for women) and other welfare schemes, and to create fear and pressure among govt officers”.
AAP Punjab media In charge Baltej Pannu alleged that the central agency has “increasingly become a political tool of BJP”. “ED’s visits have been continuing for the past few weeks, with only a few months left for the elections. It means that the election process is going well because these days, ED is a wing of BJP… Wherever elections are going to be held, ED goes there first,” he said.
ED has been widening its probe into alleged fraudulent CLU approvals and financial irregularities linked to Suntec City project. The central agency is examining the role of certain officials and the approval process involving the Housing and Urban Development Department and town planning authorities.
The agency has already questioned two Punjab IAS officers in connection with the probe. Kanwal Preet Brar , who served as director, Town and Country Planning in 2024, was questioned on Aug 18 and Aug 27, and former Punjab chief secretary Anurag Verma , who once headed the Housing and Urban Development Department, was questioned this month.
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities in the development of Suntec City in the New Chandigarh area, including allegations concerning the use of fraudulent documents and approvals. The ED is also examining the possible money-laundering angle arising from the alleged irregularities.
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