ED Summons GMADA Chief in Money-Laundering Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned the Chief Administrator of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to appear before it on Monday in connection with its ongoing money-laundering investigation into alleged massive irregularities in Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals granted to two major real estate projects.
Background of the Investigation
The ED probe now directly scrutinises the top brass of GMADA and housing department — the very authority that grants the approvals under question.
Summons to GMADA Chief
The notice states that the Chief Administrator’s personal appearance is required “to give evidence and for production of records” in the PMLA probe. Failure to comply would invite penal action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Relevant Documents Sought from GMADA
- The complete file containing all approvals granted to Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd
- List of all concerned officials involved in the approval of projects related to the company
- Details of all transactions made by Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd to GMADA
Previous Raids and Seizures
During the raids, the ED seized approximately Rs 1 crore in cash and incriminating documents. In one high-profile incident at a Mohali high-rise (Flat No. 906, Western Towers, Chajju Majra near Kharar), eyewitnesses reported bags containing Rs 500 notes (25 lakh) being thrown from the ninth-floor balcony as ED teams arrived; the cash was later recovered.
Probe Based on Two Mohali Police FIRs
- FIR No. 123/2022 (Mullanpur police station): Alleging that fake consent letters with forged signatures and thumb impressions of 15 landowners from Palheri village were used to secure CLU permission for 30.5 acres for the Suntec City mega project.
- FIR No. 7/2024 (Phase-11 police station): Multiple homebuyers accused Altus Space Builders of selling plots in its ‘Millennium Court’ project at Nagiari village by misrepresenting conditional CLU approvals as final.
Allegations of Money Laundering and Irregularities
The agency is examining the role of certain GMADA officials in granting the allegedly fraudulent CLU permissions and the quantum of fees paid (or not paid) by the builders to the authority.
ED Officials' Allegations
ED officials have also alleged that Gaurav Dhir of Dhir Constructions, through M/s Suncity Projects, purchased the Altus project at a hugely undervalued Rs 130 crore (actual worth reportedly over Rs 300 crore) to facilitate money laundering.