Former Punjab Chief Secretary and current Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Anurag Verma did not appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its Jalandhar zonal office on Monday in connection with an investigation involving Suntec City and Altus Space Builders Private Limited in Mohali and the ED has now issued a fresh summons directing Verma to appear before the agency on September 9 for questioning.
The investigation relates to alleged irregularities and violations of regulations connected with projects associated with Suntec City and Altus Space Builders in Mohali and the agency is examining decisions and approvals linked to the projects and is looking into whether any rules were violated or whether undue benefits were extended to builders.
Verma had been summoned to appear before the ED's Jalandhar office on September 7, however, he did not appear before the agency.
This is the second time Verma has failed to appear after being summoned in the case and the ED had earlier summoned him for questioning on August 31. He did not appear on that date and had sought additional time from the agency, citing the need to collect documents and records related to the matter.
Following his request, the ED had fixed September 7 as the next date for his appearance, however, with Verma remaining absent again, the agency has now scheduled his questioning for September 9.
What is Verma’s role?
Verma's role is under scrutiny because he served as the head of Punjab's Department of Housing and Urban Development during the period relevant to the investigation and the ED is examining decisions taken and approvals granted during this period as part of its probe into the alleged irregularities.
The case has also brought other senior administrative officers under the agency's scrutiny.
Senior IAS officer Kanwalpreet Brar has also been questioned in connection with the investigation. The ED had issued a fresh summons to Brar on August 27, earlier, she appeared before ED officials at the Jalandhar zonal office on August 18, where she presented her side in the matter.
The ED's investigation is continuing, with the agency examining the role of officials and other individuals connected with the projects and for now, the next key development is expected on September 9, when Anurag Verma has been directed to appear before the ED at its Jalandhar office. The allegations being examined by the ED are part of an ongoing investigation, and the issuance of summons does not by itself establish wrongdoing by any individual.
