Chandigarh, 31 August (H.S.) Former Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma has sought additional time to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its investigation into the alleged scam involving Suntec City and Altus Space Builders Private Limited in Mohali.

Verma had been summoned to appear before the investigating agency on August 31 for questioning. However, he did not appear and instead sent a letter seeking an adjournment. The ED is likely to issue him a fresh summons soon.

Verma is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary in the Revenue Department. At the time of the alleged irregularities, he was heading the Housing and Urban Development Department. The agency is examining his alleged role, particularly in connection with approvals for change of land use and alleged irregularities in layout changes that allegedly benefited private developers.

The investigation has also raised allegations that after unauthorised changes were made to the layout, an application seeking transfer of group housing sites in the Murwoods Ecocity mega project to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) was rejected. The sites were subsequently transferred to Dhir Constructions, a company owned by Gaurav Dhir.

In the same case, IAS officer Kanwalpreet Brar has already appeared twice before the ED at its regional office in Jalandhar.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH