The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Jalandhar Zonal Office, has provisionally attached immovable properties and stocks worth ₹9.87 crore belonging to Vikas Bhandari, Bhupinder Singh, Ritika Bhandari, Karam Singh and Gurdeep Singh under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The action comes in connection with the ongoing money laundering probe into the Guava Orchard Compensation Scam. The ED initiated its investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, against Bhupinder Singh, Vikas Bhandari and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 1988.

According to the ED, the investigation revealed that certain private persons, in collusion with government officers, managed to claim wrongful compensation from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for land acquired to set up the Aerotropolis Residential Project near IT City in SAS Nagar, Mohali.

Officials stated that guava trees were falsely shown on the land to secure higher compensation. In some cases, the density and age of trees were exaggerated, and forged revenue records and favourable reports were allegedly prepared with the connivance of revenue and horticulture officers.

The proceeds of crime so generated were allegedly diverted by Vikas Bhandari to his wife Ritika Bhandari and associates Bhupinder Singh, Karam Singh and Gurdeep Singh. Properties held by them in the form of immovable assets and stocks have now been provisionally attached.

The ED added that further investigation is underway.

ED