Change of land use scam: ED files 200-page reply in HC, again seeks FIR from Punjab DGP

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a 200-page reply to the High Court, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against several private individuals and senior officials of the Punjab government. The allegations concern alleged "large-scale and institutionalised corruption" involving senior state officials in connection with a multi-crore land and Change of Land Use fraud, related to a Rs.

348 crore money laundering case in the Suntec City project. The ED has been conducting searches at the premises of Ajay Sehgal, Nitin Gohal, and Suresh Kumar Bajaj since May 7 to 10. The High Court had already sought the ED's response to the allegations and requested the Punjab government to outline its intended actions. The ED contends that the information provided is sufficient for registering the FIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and requests that the FIR be registered promptly to prevent evidence tampering.