In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches against former Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Dilbag Singh and Congress MLA Surender Panwar on Thursday, uncovering a significant haul of foreign-made rifles, cash, liquor bottles, and more. The raids were part of a money laundering investigation connected to alleged illegal mining in Haryana’s Yamunanagar district and other regions.
Former INLD MLA Dilbag Singh, hailing from Yamunanagar, has come under scrutiny in the ongoing case. The ED raids yielded approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, “illegal” foreign-made rifles, over 100 liquor bottles, around 300 cartridges and bullets, 4-5 kilograms of gold biscuits and jewelry, along with documents related to assets in India and abroad. The searches at various locations are still ongoing.
The investigation, conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), encompasses around 20 locations linked to both politicians and associated entities in Yamunanagar, Sonipat, Mohali, Faridabad, Chandigarh, and Karnal.
The money laundering case originated from multiple FIRs filed by the Haryana Police to probe alleged illegal mining activities involving boulders, gravel, and sand in Yamunanagar and neighboring districts, continuing even after the lease expiry period and a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Additionally, the ED is examining potential fraud in the ‘e-Ravana’ scheme, an online portal introduced by the Haryana government in 2020 to streamline the collection of royalties and taxes and prevent tax evasion in mining areas. The ED sources claim that these activities were orchestrated by a syndicate allegedly linked to the two politicians.
The raids and subsequent findings mark a significant development in the ongoing investigation, shedding light on potential financial irregularities and illegal activities involving prominent political figures.