The Enforcement Directorate’s search and seizure operation at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office continued for the second day on Wednesday, September 23, with the agency examining land acquisition records, approvals and dealings between the authority and private developers.
The ED’s action is part of a wider investigation linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd and associated companies. Searches and surveys were conducted across Delhi, Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana. Reports said the operation covered more than two dozen locations.
According to sources, the agency is looking into alleged irregularities related to land acquisition and change-of-land-use approvals for private realtors. Records of people whose land was recently acquired by GMADA in New Chandigarh and Mohali are also reportedly being examined.
The role of Tila Consultants and Contractors Pvt Ltd, a consultancy that handles work for GMADA, has also come under scrutiny. The company, owned by Kirti Sadhu Bas, is being investigated over its alleged role as an intermediary in the dealings under examination. These are allegations being investigated by the agency and have not been established as wrongdoing.
Another company being examined is Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd. According to the ED, its promoters also control Remigate Buildestates (India) Pvt Ltd and MB Infrabuild Pvt Ltd. The two companies had acquired two auction sites from GMADA in Mohali and subsequently received substantial financial relief on dues payable to the authority, according to the agency.
One of the key issues in the investigation is an alleged waiver or financial relief involving more than ₹100 crore in dues.
The ED has estimated the suspected undue gain to the companies and the corresponding loss to the government exchequer at more than ₹100 crore, according to reports citing the agency.
A specific matter under examination involves Remigate Buildestates, which is developing a food court on a 1.3-acre site in Mohali. The reported relief was approved during GMADA’s 34th meeting in 2025. The meeting was chaired by then Chief Secretary KAP Sinha.
The then GMADA Chief Engineer had reportedly stated that a demand of around ₹40 crore towards non-construction charges was not justified because the site was not free from encumbrances.
ED teams, assisted by CRPF personnel, entered the GMADA office on Tuesday and sealed at least three floors, including the Chief Engineer’s chamber. Mobile phones of senior officials and office computers were also taken into custody, according to reports.
Several senior GMADA officials were questioned, including Housing Secretary Vikas Garg, GMADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Rishi, Land Acquisition Collector Rohit Jindal, Estate Officer Aman Gupta, Additional Chief Administrators Amarinder Singh Malhi and Rakesh Popli, and Chief Engineer Ajay Garg. Sources said officials were questioned together initially and later taken to their respective offices for further questioning.
The ED also reportedly retrieved chat records from the mobile phones examined during the operation.
The search was still continuing at GMADA on Wednesday morning. More than 100 ED officials were reportedly involved in the operation at the authority’s office. Junior officials were allowed to leave around 10 pm on Tuesday, while senior officials, including Vikas Garg, remained at the office, according to reports.
As of Wednesday morning, the ED had not announced the final outcome of the searches. Hindustan Times reported that no arrests had been reported at the time of its report.
The investigation is therefore still underway, with the ED examining GMADA’s land-related records, developer transactions, approvals and the financial relief allegedly granted to companies linked to Tirupati Infraprojects.
