ED seizes over Rs 3.89 crore cash in Guava Bagh scam case

Chandigarh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized Rs 3.89 crore in cash and incriminating documents during raids at multiple premises in Punjab, including those belonging to two IAS officers, in connection with a money laundering case (alleged guava bagh compensation scam) on Thursday. However, the central agency did not specify the origin of the recovered items.

The searches were initiated on Wednesday, and a total of 26 residential and commercial premises were raided in Ferozepur, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Bathinda, Barnala, Patiala, and Chandigarh. Apart from officials from the Revenue and Horticulture departments and private individuals, the premises of two IAS officers — Punjab Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam and Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Dhiman — were also searched.

The money laundering case was revealed in an FIR filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau against alleged prime accused Bhupinder Singh, Jasmin Kaur, and others.

According to the ED, incriminating evidence, property documents, mobile phones, and Rs 3.89 crore in cash were seized during the searches. The case dates back to 2016 when the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) began the process of acquiring land from various villages of SAS Nagar (Mohali) for establishing an aerocity housing project near IT City and another aerocity in the same district.