New Delhi, Feb 18 (.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Dehradun Sub-Zonal Office, on Wednesday said it has attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 13.89 crore in connection with the NH-74 land acquisition scam.
The ED initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on an FIR registered at Police Station Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Dilbagh Singh, Jarnail Singh, Baljeet Kaur and Dalvinder Singh allegedly managed to obtain backdated orders under Section 143 of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act. These orders were subsequently entered into the revenue records at a later date in connivance with Revenue officials and middlemen.
On the basis of these manipulated records, the accused allegedly fraudulently received excess compensation amounting to Rs 26,02,83,930 for their land acquired for the widening of NH-74, at non-agricultural rates. By doing so, they caused a significant financial loss to the government while unlawfully enriching themselves.
The ED’s investigation under the PMLA further revealed that the proceeds of crime were either used to purchase immovable properties in their names or transferred to other bank accounts, including those of their relatives.
After identifying the proceeds of crime, a Provisional Attachment Order has been issued attaching assets worth approximately Rs 13.89 crore, including both movable and immovable properties.
The ED has already issued three Provisional Attachment Orders in this case and filed seven prosecution complaints against various accused before the Special Court (PMLA), Dehradun.
Further investigation into the matter is ongoing. . ATK . KK