Have the Ansal Brothers Been Charged in a Money Laundering Case Linked to the Sushant Lok-I Project?
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New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) In a significant escalation for real estate magnates Sushil and Gopal Ansal, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) from the Gurugram Zonal Office has lodged a money laundering chargesheet against them and several others in a Special (PMLA) Court.
Among the individuals and entities cited in the chargesheet are Pranav Ansal and Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd. (APIL). They are accused of generating proceeds of crime totaling Rs 10.55 crore due to their failure to install or maintain sewage treatment facilities in their housing projects, ‘Sushant Lok-I’ and ‘Esencia’, located in Gurugram.
This case originated from violations of scheduled offences under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981.
The ED's investigation commenced following complaints filed by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), alleging that the Ansals committed scheduled offences under section 43 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and section 37 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The company is facing repercussions for purportedly ignoring environmental regulations in its two real estate ventures - ‘Sushant Lok-I’ and ‘Esencia’ in Gurugram.
The ED's inquiries uncovered that APIL failed to install any sewage treatment plant for ‘Sushant Lok Phase-I’, with effluent being diverted through the HUDA sewer system. Furthermore, the STP at ‘Esencia’ was determined to be of insufficient capacity.
During a recent inspection, the HSPCB team discovered that the installed STPs were abandoned and lacked any operational management, according to an official statement.
The investigation by the ED indicated that by neglecting to treat domestic effluent and untreated sewage in accordance with regulations, APIL not only jeopardized public health and the environment but also profited significantly from this misconduct.
The company's promoters took no action to process waste or comply with HSPCB guidelines, thereby unethically profiting around Rs 10.55 crore through these illicit activities.
Previously, the ED provisionally seized immovable properties, including commercial units and spaces located in Gurugram, Greater Noida, and Ludhiana, owned by the company's directors, shareholders, and beneficial owners, valued at Rs 10.55 crore.