Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into an alleged ₹645-crore public funds embezzlement and money laundering case involving funds belonging to the Haryana government, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation and other government entities.
The ED’s Chandigarh Zonal Office-II conducted searches at 14 premises across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula in connection with the case. The searches targeted several jewellery firms and an alleged intermediary, according to reports.
The premises searched included those linked to Malik Jewellers, KLG Jewellers, MB Gold Traders, Sham Jewellers and Sunder Jewellers, besides intermediary Gaurav Kansal.
Investigators suspect that the allegedly misappropriated funds were layered through accounts of jewellery businesses by showing them as legitimate commercial transactions and were subsequently routed towards IAS officers, according to the allegations under investigation.
The case is linked to alleged fraudulent transactions involving government funds held in bank accounts. The CBI has already filed multiple chargesheets in the matter. Its earlier investigations covered alleged misappropriation involving Haryana government funds as well as Chandigarh Smart City Limited, with the combined amount reported at around ₹645 crore.
The ED has previously arrested four accused in the money laundering investigation and attached or seized assets worth around ₹211 crore. Prosecution complaints have also been filed against 14 accused, according to the case details.
The latest searches reportedly led to the recovery of documents and other material that investigators believe could provide further evidence of the alleged money trail. The investigation is continuing.
