ED Conducts Search Operations in Punjab over Guava Orchard Compensation Scam
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jalandhar, took significant action on March 27, 2024, by conducting search operations at 26 residential and business premises across various districts in Punjab, including Ferozepur, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Bathinda, Barnala, Patiala, and Chandigarh. These operations targeted individuals linked to Bhupinder Singh and other private persons, along with two Senior IAS officers and officers from the revenue and horticulture departments.
The searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection to the Guava Orchard Compensation scam. During the operation, ED officials recovered and seized various incriminating pieces of evidence, property documents, mobile phones, and cash amounting to Rs. 3.89 Crore.
The investigation by the ED was initiated based on an FIR registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Mohali, Punjab, against Bhupinder Singh, Jasmine Kaur, and others under various sections of the IPC, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Further probing revealed that in 2016, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Punjab, initiated the process of acquiring land in various villages of SAS Nagar for the “Setting up Aerotropolis Residential Project Near IT city and Aerocity in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar.” Private individuals associated with officers of GMADA, the Revenue department, and the Horticulture department were allegedly involved in fraudulent activities related to compensation for fruit-bearing trees, particularly Guava trees.
It was found that these individuals, including beneficiaries and government officials, colluded to manipulate records and reports concerning the existence, age, quality, and density of Guava trees to wrongfully obtain compensation. The total Proceeds of Crime (PoC) identified so far amount to approximately Rs. 140 Crore.
The ED’s investigation into the Guava Orchard Compensation scam is ongoing as they delve deeper into the intricate web of fraudulent activities surrounding the acquisition of land and compensation disbursement.
