ED Arrests Then Naib Tehsildar in a Money Laundering Case Involving Revenue Officials

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot, the then Naib Tehsildar on 20.04.2023 in a money laundering case involving revenue officials and others for misallocating shares of shamlat (panchayat) land of village Seonk, SAS Nagar, Punjab to the tune of more than 99 acres in the name of ineligible villagers and in some instances, even outsiders.

In the instant case, investigation was initiated on basis of FIR registered by Vigilance Bureau, Punjab under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act. Chargesheet was filed by the Vigilance Bureau in the said FIR against the accused Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot and others confirming the allegations. Investigation has revealed that revenue official’s viz. Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot and others, while preparing the Intkal, have falsely allotted shares of shamlat land of village seonk in the name of 6 villagers.

Subsequently power of attorneys were obtained by the private property dealers from these villagers and on the basis of these power of attorneys, these private property dealers in connivance with revenue officials sold shamlat land to non-eligible villagers and some outsiders. The sale consideration was shared by the private property dealers and revenue officials among themselves giving small amount to the villagers as well from whom the power of attorneys were taken.

During the investigation, bank accounts maintained by Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot in his and his family members name were scrutinized and unexplained credits to the tune of more than Rs 15 Crore were found including cash credits of around Rs 8 Crore during the relevant period. Further, during the investigation it was revealed that Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot has received funds in his relatives’ Bank Accounts from the friends and relatives of the final purchaser and/or beneficial owners of the shamlat land.

Further, most of the sale consideration of shamlat land was transacted in cash. Although no POC was identified by LEA, but the value of the said shamlat land is estimated to be more than Rs 50 Crore. Further, unexplained cash credits in the accounts maintained by Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot for which no rational explanation was provided by Varinder Pal Singh Dhoot also substantiates the cash received by him. Further investigation is in progress.

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