The Enforcement Directorate has summoned the Mohali SSP in its ongoing Suntec City money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The agency is seeking records related to a 2022 FIR filed after farmers and landowners alleged that consent documents were forged to obtain change-of-land-use approval for the project. The ED had reportedly sought information from Mohali Police several times but did not receive the requested details within the specified period. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been judicially established.
ED Tightens Suntec City Probe, Summons Mohali SSP Over Alleged Land Fraud Case
In an important development in the ongoing Suntec City money laundering probe, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Mohali in connection with the case of alleged fraud involving farmers and landowners.
Sources said that the SSP Mohali has been called to the federal agency on September 10 and asked to submit records pertaining to a police probe into the Suntec City project.
The ED is investigating the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The case is associated with a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Mullanpur police station in November 2022 on the complaint of farmers and landowners.
The complainants claimed their consent documents had been forged and used to secure change-of-land-use (CLU) approval for the Suntec City development. The allegations are still under investigation and have not been proven in any court of law.
Suntec City Investigation Expands Beyond Original Allegations
The matter has also been examined in proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a civil writ petition, adding to the controversy surrounding the Suntec City project.
The ED had earlier sought information from the Mohali Police about the status of the investigation and action taken in the case, sources said. Requests were reportedly made on August 27, August 29 and August 31.
The agency had asked for information under Section 54 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. But people familiar with the matter said the agency did not receive the requested details within the specified period.
The Enforcement Directorate also said that its investigation had unearthed other alleged offences. The agency said the findings required further investigation and possible filing of fresh cases.
Between July 1 and August 25, the Mohali SSP allegedly received letters and emails containing documents and communications. The communications were dated July 1, July 21, August 14, August 24 and August 25.
Repeated communications have been made by the ED official to the SSP’s office, but no response has been received by the agency. The latest summons has sought the same information as previously, the official added.
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ED Questions Senior Officials Over Administrative Decisions
The probe has expanded from allegations over consent documents to include a review of CLU approvals, modifications to the project layout and documents that are alleged to have the landowners’ consent.
The Enforcement Directorate has questioned senior government officials on administrative decisions related to the Suntec City project and approvals in connection with the larger probe.
IAS officer Kanwar Preet Brar was summoned by the ED on August 18 & August 27. Earlier, sources said that former Chief Secretary of Punjab, Anurag Verma, has been summoned for questioning on September 9.
The agency is looking at the sequence of administrative actions and records associated with the project and whether there were other violations in the approval process.
The Mohali SSP has been called in connection with furnishing information and investigation records. The action does not allege that the police officer has been charged with any misconduct.
According to Sprouts News, the investigation is still open, and authorities are still gathering records, statements and documentary evidence from various parties to the case.
Investigations are underway into alleged fraud, forged documents and project approvals. In the end, any finding of criminal liability or wrongdoing will be based on facts developed through the legal process and judicial review.
With the ED expanding its probe into the Suntec City project, the focus is likely to remain on the officials’ replies, the probe’s findings and any further proceedings before the relevant courts and authorities.
