Guava orchard scam: ED seeks compensation records from GMADA

The VB had registered an FIR in the case on May 3. A total of 15 persons have been arrested.

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) building. (File)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought the records of compensation as well as the details of bank accounts of all the farmers related to the illegal compensation scam involving planting of guava trees in Bakarpur village, Mohali.

In a letter written to the chief administrator of Mohali, the ED had stated that as per an FIR registered by Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) last month, it has been found that in the year 2016, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority, Punjab (GMADA) started the process of acquiring land of various villages of Mohali district. The government had subsequently issued various notices on December 5, 2017 under section 4, on October 17, 2019 under section 11, and on January 8, 2021, under section 19 of the Land Acquisition Act.

The letter further stated that the accused persons, by colluding with the officials of horticulture and land revenue department of Punjab, wrongfully obtained compensation for the guava orchards from the government for which they were not entitled to.

“Since the sections invoked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act are scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, enquiries are being carried out by the directorate in the subject case,” the letter said.

The ED has asked from GMADA to provide certified copies of the applications along with annexure (if any)/any other document submitted by the accused claiming for the said compensation; details of all the compensation payments made by GMADA/government of Punjab for the guava orchards for acquiring said lands and details of all the bank accounts to which payments of the wrongfully claimed compensation were transferred.

The VB had registered an FIR in the case on May 3. A total of 15 persons have been arrested.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Punjab