ED Expands Punjab Real Estate Probe, Seeks GAMADA Records

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has expanded its money laundering investigation linked to Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, turning its attention to records maintained by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GAMADA) concerning real estate projects approved over the past several years.

Officials familiar with the development said the agency has sought documents relating to projects sanctioned since 2019, including files connected to regulatory clearances, land-use permissions, and financial obligations. Investigators are examining whether approvals were granted in accordance with established norms and whether all statutory payments were properly deposited with government authorities.

A housing project in Dera Bassi, Chandigarh Royal City, has figured prominently in the ongoing probe. The agency is reviewing the project’s approval trail and associated financial transactions to determine whether any irregularities occurred during its development.

As part of the exercise, the ED has requested records related to Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions, colony development licences, approval notes, departmental observations, External Development Charges (EDC), and financial exchanges between developers and GAMADA. The agency is also verifying whether mandatory dues and charges linked to the project were cleared in full and within the prescribed framework.

The investigation has further prompted interactions with officials from GAMADA’s Accounts Branch and the Town and Country Planning Department. Sources indicated that investigators are assessing whether procedural relaxations were granted in certain cases and whether project-linked funds were utilised in compliance with applicable regulations.

The latest developments come days after the ED arrested Royal Estate Group promoters Praveen Kansal and Neeraj Kansal from Delhi on May 30. The two are presently in judicial custody. The agency had earlier carried out searches across Chandigarh, Mohali, Zirakpur, and several other locations in Punjab, during which it seized documents and electronic data believed to be relevant to the case.

Meanwhile, the scope of the probe has reportedly widened following Arora’s arrest, with investigators examining the financial and business links of individuals allegedly associated with the minister. According to sources, ED teams are tracking documents and transaction trails to ascertain whether any coordinated mechanism was used to conceal liabilities, move funds, or provide undue financial advantages.

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GAMADA) is a statutory body responsible for the planning and development of the Greater Mohali area. It plays a crucial role in approving real estate projects, ensuring they comply with urban planning norms and regulations. This recent probe by the ED highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the real estate sector, particularly in areas with significant development activity.