Punjab Irrigation Scam: ED Attaches Properties of Contractor and Wife

Punjab - Irrigation - Scam - ED - Attaches - Properties - of - Contractor - and - Wife - TAXSCAN

Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached properties to the tune of Rs. 70.15 Crore belonging to Gurinder Singh and his wife, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attachment includes a total of 27 immovable properties in Punjab and Chandigarh.

ED had initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered under various sections of IPC & PC Act and Challans filed thereof. It was alleged that Detailed Notice Inviting Tenders (DNITs) for various Irrigation project works in Punjab were tailor-made keeping in view the eligibility conditions of Gurinder Singh Contractor. Besides, various irregularities were also seen in relation to allotment and execution of such project works to favor Gurinder Singh, which resulted in huge loss to government exchequer.

In this connection, ED had commenced its investigation under the provisions of PMLA and it had initially identified movable properties (in form of bank balances), beneficially owned by Gurinder Singh and the same were found to be a part of Proceeds of Crime so acquired and possessed by Gurinder Singh by way of commission of scheduled offence. Accordingly, such bank balances to the tune of Rs 41.50 Crore approx. were provisionally attached. Investigation conducted by ED further revealed that the Proceeds of Crime so acquired and obtained by Gurinder Singh are also available in form of various immovable properties. Accordingly, the instant provisional attachment is issued to the tune of Rs. 70.15 Crore. Total POC identified and attached so far in this case stands at Rs 112 Crore approx. Further investigation in this matter is in progress.

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