Gmada officials submit records to ED in Rs 150cr CLU fraud probe

Mohali: Two senior officials from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada) appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jalandhar on Monday in connection with an ongoing Rs 150 crore money laundering investigation involving major real estate projects in Mohali.Gmada chief administrator Sandeep Kumar said while he did not attend personally, two gazetted officers, the district town planner (DTP) and a superintendent, represented the authority. Kumar said the officers were sent to submit all required documentary evidence and files related to the case. The representatives submitted extensive records sought under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is investigating the granting of change of land use (CLU) permissions and the approval processes for major projects, including Suntec City and Altus Space Builders Private Limited. Sources said investigators are examining whether mandatory regulatory norms and procedures were bypassed during the approval phase. The summons issued by the ED's Jalandhar zonal office required the chief administrator or an authorised representative of gazetted rank to present records. Under Section 50 of the PMLA, these proceedings are judicial in nature. This development follows a series of raids conducted on May 8 across 12 locations in Mohali, Chandigarh, and Patiala. The crackdown targeted several entities, including Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society, Altus Space Builders, ABS Townships, Dheer Constructions, and promoters of Suntec City. The agency had specifically sought complete files on project approvals and records of all financial transactions between Gmada and the private developers involved.