Mohali: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) search at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office, which began on Tuesday, continued through the night into Wednesday morning. ED officials remained at the office overnight, examining various files and other documents.
The search had continued for around 22 hours by Wednesday morning.
The ED team investigating alleged financial irregularities and scams in GMADA also searched the Chandigarh residence of Punjab Housing Secretary Vikas Garg. The search operation reportedly began around 11 pm on Tuesday and continued late into the night.
Tila Consultants under ED scrutiny
The role of Tila Consultants and Contractors Pvt Ltd, a company that has worked as a land aggregator for GMADA, has also come under the agency’s scrutiny.
According to ED sources cited in the report, the agency is examining alleged irregularities in land acquisition and the granting of Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals to private realtors. The role of the company, owned by Keerti Sadhu Bas, is being examined as part of the investigation.
The consultancy company is reported to have worked with several state governments and central government authorities.
Reports said the ED is also examining records of people whose land was recently acquired by GMADA in New Chandigarh and Mohali.
Searches at 27 locations
According to the information, the ED conducted searches at 27 locations across Delhi, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana, besides the GMADA headquarters in Mohali.
With assistance from CRPF personnel, ED teams reportedly sealed at least three floors of the GMADA office and also cordoned off the office of the chief engineer.
During the searches, documents allegedly linked to the improper granting of CLU approvals to private builders were seized.
Sources said the ED is examining the role of both serving and former GMADA officials in connection with alleged irregularities in granting CLU permissions for land.
