Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday disclosed that it has seized Rs. 3.89cr cash during raids at 26 premises in the Punjab Guava Compensation Scam. Notably during this search operation, homes of state's senior IAS Varun Roojam & IAS Rajesh Dhiman (DC Ferozepur) were also covered. Thesocial24 has also learnt that raids are still on at some premises while as of now no arrests have been made by ED so far as against the claims being made by certain quarters. 

According to information shared by ED today it's zonal unit Jalandhar carried out search operations on March 27th 2024 at 26 residential/ business premises related to Bhupinder Singh and other private persons along with two Senior IAS officers, officers of revenue & horticulture department in various districts across state of Punjab viz. Ferozepur, Mohali (SAS Nagar), Bathinda, Barnala & Patiala and Chandigarh under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in relation to Guava Orchard Compensation scam.

During the search, various incriminating evidences, property documents, mobile phones and cash worth Rs.3.89 Crore were recovered and seized.

Notably ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Vigilance Bureau, Mohali, Punjab under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Bhupinder Singh, Jasmine Kaur and others. 

ED investigation revealed that in the year 2016 Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Punjab started the process of acquiring land of various villages of SAS Nagar, Punjab for “Setting up Aerotropolis Residential Project Near IT city and Aerocity in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar”. Private persons close to officers of GMADA, Revenue department & Horticulture department were aware of the fact that compensation for fruit bearing trees (Guava trees) would be assessed separately from the value of land acquired and additional compensation was to be granted as per the quality, age and various other parameters related to Guava trees planted. 

Accordingly, Persons involved in the scam (beneficiaries, officers of GMADA, Revenue and Horticulture department) colluded amongst themselves and created false/ forged records and reports regarding existence/age/quality/density of guava trees to avail wrongful compensation. Total Proceed of Crime (PoC) identified so far is Rs. 140 Crore (approx.). Further investigation is under progress.

Enforcement Directorate ED Crime Guava Compensation Scam Ias Varun Roojam Ias Rajesh Dhiman