The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) headquarters in Mohali continued for the second day on Wednesday, with officials and ED personnel remaining inside the building as the investigation expanded.
The searches began on Tuesday morning. According to sources, several GMADA officials and ED sleuths were not allowed to leave the premises overnight. With the operation continuing into Wednesday evening, additional arrangements were made for those staying inside the building.
Mattresses were brought for the officials and investigating team. Meals were also being arranged from a local sweet shop as the ED operation continued.
The ED is examining records related to decisions taken by the Housing Department and GMADA, particularly those concerning land use, land acquisition and real-estate-related matters.
The scrutiny includes decisions related to changes in land use under the master plans of development authorities. The ED is examining cases involving agricultural land that was subsequently designated for residential, commercial or mixed-use purposes.
The agency is also looking into the acquisition of more than 5,000 acres in Mohali and New Chandigarh. Sources said the investigation is examining the planning powers and land acquisition processes used in these matters and allegations of their misuse for generating and laundering proceeds of crime through real estate and hawala.
Other matters under scrutiny include advance aggregation of agricultural and waste land marked under the Mohali Master Plan, followed by changes allowing commercial or group housing use.
The ED is also examining the procurement of change of land use permissions and subsequent compulsory acquisition of land in the New Chandigarh area at substantially higher rates.
Regularisation of defective and Shamlat land, alleged impersonation in sale deeds in villages including Boothgarh, Burana and Bazidpur, and waiver of outstanding penalties on defaulted GMADA allotments are also part of the scrutiny.
The alleged routing of proceeds from the IDFC First Bank fake fixed-deposit case into Mohali real-estate projects is also being examined.
During the operation, three floors of the GMADA headquarters were sealed and access was restricted. More than 100 personnel from the ED and central forces are currently inside the building in Phase 8, Mohali, along with officials whose roles are being examined.
One of the officials under investigation, Vikas Garg, Secretary, Housing, Punjab, was taken in an ED vehicle to his residence on Wednesday afternoon to freshen up, according to sources. The vehicle reportedly used a gate where media personnel were not present before returning to the GMADA premises through the same gate.
As the operation continued, the ED sought additional personnel, indicating that the search and questioning exercise was still underway.
Officials are being questioned about decisions, approvals, land transactions and the procedures followed by the authority. Sources said records are being examined and responses to detailed questionnaires are being recorded.
With the operation extending into another night, more mattresses were brought into the GMADA building on Wednesday. They were seen being transported on a two-wheeler as arrangements were made for the ED team and officials staying inside.
The ED operation remains ongoing, and the agency's findings will depend on the records, statements and other material examined during the searches.