Enforcement Directorate (ED)

NEW DELHI: In a crackdown on a nexus of senior officials of Punjab govt and builders relating to Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), ED Tuesday searched multiple premises in Delhi, Ludhiana, Panchkula, Mohali and Chandigarh, including the office of Gmada and that of IAS officer and principal secretary (housing and urban development) Vikas Garg.It is probing senior officials of Punjab govt and several builders and developers in connection with alleged corruption in Gmada and for the award of projects to builders through auction, waiver of external development charges, interest charges, etc.Searches were conducted on 26 premises “related to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd and its promoters, directors and associated persons, besides others”. The other builders under probe include Remigate Buildestates (India) Pvt Ltd, MB Infrabuild Pvt Ltd, Mera Baba Reality Associates Pvt Ltd and Mera Baba Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.“Simultaneously, searches are being conducted at the offices of Gmada and of the department of housing and urban development, Punjab, to gather evidence from the accused entities,” sources said. “Tirupati Infraprojects is also an accused in CBI and ED cases, being allegedly involved in a bank fraud to the tune of Rs 290 crore concerning a project, Radisson Blu hotel, at Paschim Vihar, New Delhi.”

“Investigation has revealed that the promoters of Tirupati Infraprojects also control entities Remigate Buildestates (India), MB Infrabuild, which had acquired two prime auction sites at Mohali from Gmada and thereafter obtained substantial financial relief in respect of the dues payable to the authority,” an official said.ED has estimated suspected undue gain to the firms and the loss to the exchequer at more than Rs 100 crore. ED is also searching a consultancy firm, Tila Consultants & Contractors, which deals with various consultancy works of Gmada and is suspected to have acted as an intermediary in the scam.