New Delhi: Punjab-cadre IAS officer Kanwal Preet Brar (2007 batch) was questioned for more than eight hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with a money-laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in land-use permissions and development projects in Mohali.
Kanwal Preet Brar Questioned Over Suntec City Project
Brar, a 2007-batch IAS officer, appeared before the ED at its Jalandhar office at around 10:25 am and left at approximately 7:10 pm.
The questioning relates primarily to her tenure as Director, Town and Country Planning, in 2024, and her earlier stint as Chief Administrator of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) from 2014 to 2016.
Brar is currently serving as Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab.
During the questioning, ED officials sought information and documents relating to her personal assets, bank accounts and financial transactions. She was also questioned about decisions concerning the Suntec City project in Mohali, including the partial revocation of permissions and alterations to layout plans.
Read also: Who Is Kanwal Preet Brar? Punjab IAS Officer Summoned by ED in Suntec City Probe
ED Probes Alleged CLU And Layout Plan Irregularities
The investigation agency questioned Brar about the modified Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions granted in connection with the Suntec City project.
Officials also questioned her regarding the alteration of the Altus layout plan, allegedly without following the provisions of Section 14 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA).
Another issue examined during the questioning was the approval granted to Ritesh Properties and Industries Ltd (RPIL), now known as Hampton Sky Realty Limited.
The company is connected with Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora.
The ED is examining whether the approval was granted without adhering to an agreement requiring the developer to first develop and sell 50 per cent of the industrial plots.
ED May Summon More Officials
According to ED sources, Kanwal Preet Brar cooperated with the investigation and provided information sought by the agency.
The investigation is continuing, and officials associated with the matters under scrutiny are expected to be summoned as the ED examines the documents and information gathered so far.
The probe has gradually expanded beyond the specific land project to alleged irregularities in the functioning of various government development and housing authorities.
How The ED Money-Laundering Case Began
The ED investigation originated from a police complaint filed in 2020 by Karamjit Singh, a landowner from Palheri village in Mohali.
The complaint alleged that promoters of Suntec City had prepared forged consent letters relating to his land as well as the land of 14 other farmers.
Following an investigation led by then Mohali SP Harmandeep Hans, an FIR was registered at Mullanpur police station in November 2022.
The police case subsequently became the basis for the ED’s money-laundering investigation.
ED Raids In Mohali And Chandigarh
The ED intensified its probe on May 7, when the agency conducted searches at 12 locations across Mohali and Chandigarh.
During the operation, the agency questioned government officials as well as Suntec City promoter Ajay Sehgal.
The residence of businessman Nitin Goyal was also searched. According to reports, ₹21 lakh in cash was thrown down from the ninth floor during the ED operation.
Following questioning, the ED arrested Ajay Sehgal.
Probe Widens To GMADA, GLADA And Housing Department
Since the May searches, the ED has widened its investigation to examine alleged irregularities involving the functioning of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and the Housing Department.
The questioning of IAS officer Kanwal Preet Brar is significant in this context as the agency is examining decisions taken during her previous administrative assignments and their connection, if any, with the transactions and approvals under investigation.
The ED’s probe remains ongoing, and further questioning of officials and other individuals linked to the case is expected as the agency analyses the documents and financial records collected during the investigation.
