Jalandhar, 23 May (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ajay Sahgal, Secretary of the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society (ICHS), in connection with allegations of using forged documents relating to farmers’ land to float multi‑crore real‑estate projects. The arrest comes in a money‑laundering case linked to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the change of land‑use (CLu) scam.

The ED said the action was based on an FIR registered by the Punjab Police, which had been filed on the complaint of farmers. The FIR alleged that consent records were fraudulently manufactured to show the consent of farmers for the Santek City project, thereby securing CLu approval.

Investigations revealed that Sahgal prepared forged consent letters for 30.5 acres of land belonging to 15 farmers, with signatures and thumb impressions fabricated. It was on the basis of these forged documents that the mega real‑estate project was approved.

Prior to this, on May 7, the ED had conducted searches at eight locations linked to the cooperative society and ABS Township Private Limited. During the search at a businessman’s residence, 21 lakh rupees in cash were recovered after being thrown from the balcony.

The probe has further established that Sahgal developed other projects, such as the La Kanella residential high‑rise complex and the District‑7 commercial complex, using the same forged consent letters. Units under these projects were sold without RERA approval, and cumulative sales have already crossed 200 crore rupees.

The agency stated that Sahgal did not transfer plots earmarked for economically weaker sections to GMADA, as required. Moreover, contrary to the discussions before the High Court, only partial CLu was annulled, allowing Santek City to continue selling its remaining inventory.

The ED noted that the roles of senior officials of GMADA and the Town and Country Planning Department are also under scrutiny. The agency has indicated that further arrests may follow in the days ahead.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar