Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh

Chandigarh, May 7: A dramatic scene unfolded during Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Punjab on Thursday after a bag allegedly containing cash was thrown from the ninth floor of a building in Mohali shortly after officials arrived to conduct searches in connection with a land fraud and money laundering investigation.

The ED carried out raids at around a dozen locations across Punjab and Chandigarh linked to real estate companies and builders, including Suntec City, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, Dhir Constructions and associated entities.

According to officials, the investigation pertains to alleged irregularities in securing change of land use (CLU) permissions from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The accused are suspected of cheating investors and diverting funds amounting to several crores collected from buyers.

Officials said one Nitin Gohal is also under investigation for allegedly helping builders default on GMADA dues and arranging alleged “political protection” for them. He is also believed to have links with Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

During one of the searches in the Kharar area of Mohali district, eyewitnesses claimed that a bag was thrown from the ninth floor soon after ED officials entered the premises. A video of the incident reportedly surfaced online showing the bag being picked up by a driver in a white vehicle, who later left the area.

Though the ED has not officially confirmed the contents of the bag, reports suggested that it may have contained cash amounting to nearly Rs 21 lakh.

Reacting to the development, Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa posted on X alleging that central agencies were conducting raids on individuals close to the Punjab Chief Minister.

“A little bird told me that a central agency is conducting raids on close aides of the Punjab CM in Kharar. Whether this leads to real justice or the political ‘washing machine’ swings into action to clear all stains — only time will tell,” Bajwa stated.

The ED investigation is currently underway, and officials are examining financial records, property documents and alleged links between the accused builders and public authorities.