ED summons GMADA Chief Administrator in money laundering probe linked to Suntec City-Altus Space Builders

PTC News Desk: The Enforcement Directorate summoned chief administrator of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) to appear before it on Monday in connection with its ongoing money-laundering investigation into alleged massive irregularities in Change of Land Use (CLU) approvals granted to two major real estate projects — Suntec City and Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons directing the Chief Administrator of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), or an authorised representative not below the rank of a Gazetted Officer, to appear before the ED office in Jalandhar. The development has created a stir in real estate circles in Greater Mohali, as the probe has now reached the top officials of GMADA and the housing department — the authorities responsible for granting the approvals being investigated.

According to the notice, the Chief Administrator’s appearance is required “to give evidence and produce records” in connection with the money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The summons also warns that failure to comply could lead to penal action under the PMLA, 2002, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Proceedings under Section 50 of the PMLA are treated as judicial proceedings.

The summons comes just 10 days after the ED carried out simultaneous raids at nearly a dozen locations in Mohali, Chandigarh, New Chandigarh, and Patiala on May 8. The searches targeted the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society, promoter of Suntec City, along with its office-bearers Ajay Sehgal and Suresh Kumar Bajaj, Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd, ABS Townships Pvt Ltd, Dhir Constructions and its promoter Gaurav Dhir, as well as alleged middleman Nitin Gohal.