ED Attaches Forest Range Officer’s ₹53.64 Lakh Immovable Property in Forest Scam Money Laundering Probe
The case also involves former Forest Minister of Punjab Sadhu Singh Dharamsot who was arrested in early 2024
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jalandhar Zonal Office has provisionally attached immovable property worth ₹53.64 lakh belonging to Sukhwinder Singh, former Range Forest Officer of Budhladha Forest Range, Punjab. The attachment was made on 24 July 2025 under money laundering investigations linked to the multi-crore forest scam in Punjab. The ED initiated its probe on the...
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jalandhar Zonal Office has provisionally attached immovable property worth ₹53.64 lakh belonging to Sukhwinder Singh, former Range Forest Officer of Budhladha Forest Range, Punjab. The attachment was made on 24 July 2025 under money laundering investigations linked to the multi-crore forest scam in Punjab.
The ED initiated its probe on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Flying Squad – I, Mohali, Punjab under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1988.
Investigations conducted by the ED revealed that Sukhwinder Singh procured bills from various non-existent entities and transferred government funds to the bank accounts of different private individuals.
Subsequently, he received the funds back in cash from these persons. Through this modus operandi, he managed to acquire proceeds of crime to the tune of ₹53.64 lakh, highlighting how a mere forest range officer accumulated such illicit wealth.
Earlier in this case, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, former Forest Minister of Punjab and a five-time MLA was arrested in early 2024 under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The ED had raided his premises and also those of former forest minister Sangat Singh Giljian along with forest officials in November 2023. Dharamsot was taken into custody in Jalandhar in connection with bribery allegations involving issuance of permits for felling of Khair trees, transfer/posting of officers, issuance of departmental NOCs and purchase of tree guards.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau became wary of irregularities in the forest department due to rising allegations that ministers and officers took bribes to provide departmental permits to fell trees and convert the forest land. A prosecution complaint has already been filed against Dharamsot before the Hon’ble Special Court (PMLA), Mohali where charges have already been framed in the case.
Further investigation by the Enforcement Directorate is under progress.
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