ED attaches former GMADA chief engineer’s assets worth ₹ 37 crore
Directorate of Enforcement has provisionally attached assets to the tune of ₹37.26 crore, belonging to former chief engineer of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Surinder Pal Singh aka Pehlwan, his family, entities incorporated through his family members and associates under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act , 2002.
Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached assets to the tune of ₹37.26 crore, belonging to former chief engineer of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Surinder Pal Singh aka Pehlwan, his family, entities incorporated through his family members and associates under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
ED spokesperson said the attached assets include 63 immovable properties consisting of parcels of land and buildings in various districts of Punjab. These properties pertain to three companies associated with Surinder Pal Singh and his family members and certain other properties registered in name of other closely associated entities/ individuals. The assets attached also include movable properties in the form of balances available in several bank accounts pertaining to Surinder Pal Singh, his family members and companies managed and controlled under his instructions.
ED had initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered and chargesheet filed by vigilance bureau, Punjab under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. It was alleged that Surinder Pal Singh, who was posted as executive engineer, superintendent engineer and chief engineer at various offices of Punjab Mandi Board and GMADA, had incorporated several companies through his family members and deposited in the accounts of such companies huge quantum of funds earned by him through illicit means. “He misused his official position and allotted multi-crore projects to his favored firms/companies thereby ensuring illegal monetary gains for himself as well as various other persons belonging to his own family, etc,” ED stated.
In this connection, ED had earlier conducted searches under PMLA at various premises connected with Surinder Pal Singh, his associates and others as a result of which proceeds of crime lying in the form of Term Deposits, totaling to ₹ 5.93 crore were ordered to be frozen.
The spokesperson further stated that during investigation conducted by ED, Surinder Pal and his family members and associates were not able to prove the genuineness of the business/financial transactions of such companies, which clearly established the fact that the companies were floated only with the purpose to launder the illicit income earned by misuse of his official position in government of Punjab.
“Also, no supporting documents were ever submitted by them during investigation with regards to huge cash deposits in the bank accounts of the companies managed and controlled by the accused,” it stated.
The ED also found during investigation, certain properties were found to be purchased directly in cash in the name of such companies.
