Enforcement Directorate attaches assets worth Rs 42 cr in irrigation scam in Punjab

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 28

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued an order attaching assets of Gurinder Singh, a contractor who was booked by the Vigilance Bureau on corruption charges in 2017 in the multi-crore irrigation scam allegedly committed during the previous SAD-BJP regime.

A case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was initiated by the ED, Jalandhar office, over the corruption charges. In the investigation into five of the total projects so far undertaken by ED officials, proceeds of crime worth approximately Rs 42 crore have been attached in the case. This has been done from the amount detected in Gurinder’s bank accounts.

ED sources said further investigation into the case was going on, whereas other immovable/movable assets of Gurinder were under scrutiny. The officials are also looking into the role of government officials and leaders of the then regime in the scam.

The contractor had been booked for causing loss to state exchequer in irrigation projects of the Punjab Government on August 17, 2017, by the flying squad, Mohali. It has been found that officials of the Irrigation Department had allotted contracts to Gurinder at 10-50 per cent higher rates as compared to the departmental rates. Gurinder had allegedly acquired a lot of immovable properties at various locations in Punjab with the money obtained through illegal means.

It was alleged that Gurinder in connivance with department officials caused a loss of crores of rupees to the government by twisting rules, not adhering to e-tendering procedure, making tailor-made terms for e-tendering to benefit himself and leaking secrets regarding developmental works.