ED Raids Punjab Real Estate Firms in Alleged Land Fraud, Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh in connection with an alleged money laundering and land fraud case linked to real estate projects in Mohali.

Searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at nearly a dozen premises associated with the Suntec City project , Ajay Sehgal, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, Dhir Constructions and their associates, officials said.

According to ED officials, the probe is based on allegations that builders fraudulently obtained Change of Land Use (CLU) licences from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), defaulted on mandatory payments and allegedly cheated investors after collecting crores of rupees for housing and township projects.

The agency is also investigating the role of Nitin Gohal, an IT professional alleged to have helped defaulting builders secure “political protection”. Officials claimed Gohal was linked to Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann .

During the raids, a dramatic incident unfolded in Mohali’s Kharar area where bags allegedly filled with Rs 500 currency notes were reportedly thrown from a high-rise residential building. Videos showing cash bundles scattered on the ground went viral on social media. ED officials said they were verifying the amount recovered and examining possible hawala links.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged on social media that the cash was linked to associates of the CM’s OSD. However, the ED has not officially confirmed these claims.

The raids come amid a series of recent ED actions against politically connected individuals in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.