ED seizes Rs 30.50 million in Punjab illegal mining case
ECONOMY & POLICY

ED seizes Rs 30.50 million in Punjab illegal mining case

The Enforcement Directorate seized approximately Rs 30.50 million in cash on during searches conducted at 13 locations in Punjab's Rupnagar district. These actions were part of a money-laundering investigation into alleged illegal mining on land that the agency had attached in 2015 in relation to a drug trafficking case.

The agency stated that Nasib Chand and his associates were involved in illegal mining on land attached on March 30, 2015, in a case related to former Arjuna awardee wrestler Jagdish Singh Bhola, who had also served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab.

The Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had confirmed the attachment of these assets on September 3, 2015.

In response to allegations of illegal mining, the agency focused on the suspects by analysing their call records. It was revealed that bank account statements of Baljinder Singh and others linked to him were obtained from the relevant banks and scrutinised to identify suspected individuals. Following this analysis, the search operation was carried out, according to a source.

During 2013-14, the Punjab police had registered multiple criminal cases against Bhola and his associates for allegedly operating a drug trafficking syndicate with connections in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Bhola was arrested by the Punjab police in November 2013, and the Enforcement Directorate took him into custody for questioning in January 2014.

Bhola was dismissed from service after his involvement in drug trafficking was uncovered, and the government revoked the Arjuna Award granted to him in 1997. He had previously been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai in 2008. A special court for Central Bureau of Investigation cases convicted Bhola and 21 others in one case in February 2019.

The Enforcement Directorate seized approximately Rs 30.50 million in cash on during searches conducted at 13 locations in Punjab's Rupnagar district. These actions were part of a money-laundering investigation into alleged illegal mining on land that the agency had attached in 2015 in relation to a drug trafficking case. The agency stated that Nasib Chand and his associates were involved in illegal mining on land attached on March 30, 2015, in a case related to former Arjuna awardee wrestler Jagdish Singh Bhola, who had also served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab. The Adjudicating Authority under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had confirmed the attachment of these assets on September 3, 2015. In response to allegations of illegal mining, the agency focused on the suspects by analysing their call records. It was revealed that bank account statements of Baljinder Singh and others linked to him were obtained from the relevant banks and scrutinised to identify suspected individuals. Following this analysis, the search operation was carried out, according to a source. During 2013-14, the Punjab police had registered multiple criminal cases against Bhola and his associates for allegedly operating a drug trafficking syndicate with connections in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Bhola was arrested by the Punjab police in November 2013, and the Enforcement Directorate took him into custody for questioning in January 2014. Bhola was dismissed from service after his involvement in drug trafficking was uncovered, and the government revoked the Arjuna Award granted to him in 1997. He had previously been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai in 2008. A special court for Central Bureau of Investigation cases convicted Bhola and 21 others in one case in February 2019.

Next Story
Technology

We’re building robots that flow, not just move

Founded in 2021, Flo Mobility is reimagining construction automation with vision-AI robots designed for seamless movement through complex sites. In conversation with CW, Manesh Jain, Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s origin, its LiDAR-free tech stack, and expansion plans in the Middle East and US.What inspired the name Flo Mobility? Why ‘Flo’ and not ‘Flow’?When we started the company in 2021, our focus was on building autonomous navigation systems for robots. Since our work centred around robot movement, ‘mobility’ naturally became part of the name. We wanted to co..

Next Story
Real Estate

We’re committed to setting benchmarks in sustainable luxury living

From a landmark land acquisition in Boisar to ambitious launches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru and Pune, Birla Estates is driving future-ready growth with a strong focus on sustainability, partnerships and premium living, firmly anchored in its LifeDesigned® philosophy. K T Jithendran, Managing Director & CEO, outlines the company’s premium, sustainable growth playbook in conversation with PRATAP PADODE, Editor-in-Chief, CW. Excerpts:Birla Estates recently acquired a 70.92-acre land parcel in Boisar, Maharashtra, for..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mumbai’s land crunch and ageing homes call for structured renewal

Founded in 2022, Etonhurst Capital Partners is a real-estate fund management platform focused on the Indian market. As the firm achieves the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its debut Rs 5 billion fund, Bamasish Paul, Co-founder, Managing Partner & CEO, discusses its sharp focus on redevelopment-driven value creation in Mumbai’s urban core with CW. Excerpts:Etonhurst Capital has achieved a significant milestone with the first close of Rs 1.8 billion for its Rs 5 billion fund. What factors contributed to this early success and how do you plan to attract further investments to r..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?