Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a petition filed by the Punjab government and the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) challenging the agency’s search and survey at the GMADA office.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the ED to file its response within 15 days. The matter will now be heard on October 28.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the ED sought two weeks to respond to the petition, which was subsequently granted by the court.
The Punjab government has challenged the ED’s search and survey conducted at the GMADA office between September 22 and 24. The petition had been listed for urgent hearing.
The ED operation reportedly lasted around 50 hours, during which more than 30 bags of official records were seized. The data from mobile phones and other electronic devices belonging to senior officials was also reportedly copied.
The Punjab government has challenged the legality of the search and survey and has sought relief from the high court. The Union government, ED and other parties have been made respondents in the petition.
The court will consider the matter further after receiving the ED’s response
