In a significant action, Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Jalandhar Zone on Tuesday raided several premises linked to liquor baron and Ex-MLA from Punjab’s Faridkot, Deep Malhotra. The ED action is being taken in connection with a money laundering case related to environmental crime.

According to highly placed sources, searches are being carried out at seven premises in Punjab, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh linked to M/s Malbros International Pvt Ltd, which is a liquor manufacturing company, owned and controlled by Deep Malhotra , Gautam Malhotra and family. This company is a part of Oasis Group of Companies. 

Sources also informed that the said entity has contaminated soil and ground water in and around its factory at Tehsil Zira, District Ferozepur by dumping industrial effluents and discharging the same into earth by method of bore-wells. It caused ground water/ water pollution in villages upto 4km periphery of the said manufacturing unit.

⁠This issue was also raised in Parliament during zero hour subsequent to which Central Pollution Control Board along with Central Ground Water Board conducted field visits at the Zira Factory and the inspection report revealed violation of environmental norms by the factory on multiple grounds. As an aftermath ⁠Punjab pollution control Board too had lodged a criminal complaint against the company for violating various provisions of water  (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

⁠As offence under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 are scheduled offence under PMLA, 2002, therefore, ED has taken up investigation under PMLA. Notably prolonged large scale protests were made by the farmers of the nearby villages against the factory for contaminating soil and ground water of nearby areas by dumping industrial effluents.

Interestingly Deep Malhotra had earlier in 2022 too was raided by ED in connection with the investigation of the Delhi Excise Scam. 

Powered by Froala Editor

Liquor Liquor Baron Deep Malhotra Ed Enforcement Directorate Delhi Excise Scam Scam Money Laundering Zira Punjab Distillery