Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jalandhar recently conducted search operations across Punjab and Chandigarh, targeting 26 residential and business premises linked to Bhupinder Singh, two Senior IAS officers, and others in connection with the Guava Orchard Compensation scam. Raids were carried out in districts including Ferozepur, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Bathinda, Barnala, Patiala, and Chandigarh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The operation yielded significant findings, with various incriminating pieces of evidence, property documents, mobile phones, and a cache of cash amounting to Rs. 3.89 Crore recovered and seized during the search.
The ED’s investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Vigilance Bureau, Mohali, Punjab, under IPC sections and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Bhupinder Singh, Jasmine Kaur, and others.
The investigation uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving collusion between private individuals and government officials regarding the acquisition of land by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for the development of the “Aerotropolis Residential Project Near IT City & Aerocity” in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar.
Private individuals, with ties to GMADA, Revenue, and Horticulture departments, were allegedly privy to the separate assessment of compensation for fruit-bearing trees, specifically Guava trees. Subsequently, through falsified records and reports, they manipulated the compensation process, resulting in wrongful gains.
The total Proceeds of Crime (PoC) identified in the scam thus far amounts to approximately Rs. 140 Crore. The ED’s concerted efforts to unearth financial irregularities highlight the agency’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability in government processes. The raids underscore the gravity of the situation and serve as a warning against fraudulent practices, emphasizing the importance of integrity and transparency in land acquisition processes.
