Mohali: The Enforcement Directorate has expanded its investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the Mohali real estate sector, with the agency questioning senior officials at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and examining records linked to land allotments, project approvals and financial concessions.
The latest action comes amid the ED’s ongoing money-laundering investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the Suntec City and other real estate projects in the Mohali-New Chandigarh region. The agency had earlier searched multiple locations and summoned GMADA officials for records relating to Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals.
Senior Officials Questioned
During the latest searches at the GMADA headquarters, senior officials from departments dealing with planning, engineering, land acquisition and related matters were questioned about files and decisions concerning real estate projects.
Vikas Garg, Principal Secretary of Punjab’s Housing and Urban Development Department, was also questioned at the GMADA office, according to the latest reports. The Punjab government lists Garg as the department’s Principal Secretary.
The ED is examining documents concerning land allotments, auctioned properties, development approvals and concessions reportedly granted to private developers.
The agency had previously sought complete files and details of officials involved in approving CLUs linked to Suntec City and Altus Space Builders.
Former GMADA Chief Administrator Under Scrutiny
The ED also searched the Chandigarh residence of former GMADA Chief Administrator Rajiv Kumar Gupta, a 2016-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, who served as the authority’s chief administrator in 2023.
Gupta had earlier held positions including Estate Officer, GMADA and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mohali. He was appointed GMADA Chief Administrator in May 2023.
The latest search is understood to be part of the agency’s examination of decisions taken during different periods of GMADA’s functioning.
Suntec City Case Forms Part of Wider Probe
The Suntec City investigation dates back to allegations concerning fraudulent landowner consent documents and CLU approvals. The ED’s earlier searches targeted the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society, which promoted Suntec City, along with Altus Space Builders and other entities.
The Punjab Real Estate Regulatory Authority has also recorded that GMADA cancelled the licence to develop the 108.58-acre Suntec City project in July 2024, citing, among other grounds, the promoter’s failure to submit original landowner consent documents.
The ED subsequently arrested Suntec City promoter Ajay Sehgal in May 2026 in the money-laundering investigation. The agency has alleged irregularities involving CLU approvals and financial transactions, while the investigation into the role of officials and private entities continues.
The agency is now examining whether decisions involving GMADA properties, developers and outstanding dues have any connection with the broader financial transactions under investigation.
Read Also: ED Raids Former GMADA Chief Administrator Rajiv Gupta’s Chandigarh Residence in ₹100-Crore Probe
