The Enforcement Directorate’s ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities connected to GMADA has brought several senior Punjab government and GMADA officers under scrutiny. The officers were among those covered during the ED’s survey and search proceedings at GMADA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The agency has not, however, established criminal liability against the officers merely by naming or questioning them. The investigation is ongoing.
Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Vikas Garg is the senior-most serving officer among those named in the ED action. He is the Principal Secretary of Punjab’s Housing and Urban Development Department, the administrative department overseeing matters connected with agencies such as GMADA.
The department is involved in policy-level decisions concerning urban development, land and related administrative matters. Garg was among the senior officials questioned during the ED proceedings at the GMADA premises.
Chief Administrator, GMADA
Sandeep Rishi is the Chief Administrator of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority. The Chief Administrator is the key executive authority responsible for the functioning of GMADA and implementation of its development and administrative decisions.
Rishi was among the officials questioned by the ED during the search operation. His mobile phone and other electronic material were also among the records examined during the proceedings, according to reports on the searches.
Additional Chief Administrator, GMADA
Amarinder Singh Malhi is an Additional Chief Administrator with GMADA. He was also among the senior officers covered during the ED's search and questioning at the authority's premises.
The ED's investigation is examining records and decisions connected with GMADA's functioning, including land-related administrative matters. Malhi's name appears in the list of officials covered by the agency's action.
Land Acquisition Collector, GMADA
Rohit Jindal serves as the Land Acquisition Collector with GMADA. His role is particularly relevant to land acquisition proceedings, including matters concerning acquisition awards and compensation.
The ED has said that its examination includes alleged irregularities relating to land acquisition, compensation and procedures under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Jindal was among the officers questioned during the searches at GMADA.
Former Chief Administrator, GMADA
Rajeev Gupta is a former Chief Administrator of GMADA. Unlike the other serving officials named above, he no longer holds the Chief Administrator's post.
His name has appeared in the ED's list of persons covered in connection with the investigation. The agency is examining decisions and records relating to GMADA's functioning as part of the wider probe.
Sources further indicated that the ED could summon GMADA officials in the coming days based on the documents, scanned records and other digital material seized during the operation.
The conclusion of the search at the GMADA office does not mark the end of the investigation, with the agency now expected to examine the seized material and determine the next course of action.
