Did ED seize property worth Rs 2.76 crore from Punjab patwari?
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 2.76 crore belonging to a Punjab patwari in a money laundering case. This action follows a corruption investigation revealing significant discrepancies in the patwari's declared income and his amassed assets. Find out the latest updates on this significant case.
Key Takeaways
- ED attached property worth Rs 2.76 crore from a Punjab patwari.
- Investigation initiated based on FIR from Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
- Patwari accused of corruption and amassing disproportionate assets.
- Proceeds of Crime were disguised as legitimate funds.
- ED's actions highlight the fight against corruption in public offices.
Chandigarh, Nov 29 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached immovable assets valued at Rs 2.76 crore belonging to a patwari employed in the Punjab government’s revenue department as part of a money laundering investigation, an official reported on Saturday.
The Jalandhar Zonal Office of the ED attached these assets under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on Friday, as stated by the agency.
The investigation was initiated following an FIR filed by the Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, against the patwari, Chamkaur Lal, under sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for acquiring assets that are disproportionate to his known income between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2023.
Findings from the investigation revealed that while serving as a patwari in Dera Bassi and Kharar Tehsils, Chamkaur Lal accumulated assets that were significantly greater than the legitimate earnings of himself and his family.
It was also established that the Proceeds of Crime were invested in both immovable and movable properties.
The inquiry disclosed that Chamkaur Lal disguised illegal funds as loans from relatives and acquaintances in order to attempt to legitimize these tainted assets.
Ultimately, the investigation confirmed that Chamkaur Lal's disproportionate assets amounted to Rs 2.76 crore, derived from Proceeds of Crime linked to his offenses.
In an unrelated case, the ED provisionally attached 28 immovable properties worth over Rs 70 crore related to a notorious liquor fake challan scam that inflicted significant revenue losses on the Madhya Pradesh government.
The properties seized included valuable land and residential flats in Indore, Mandsaur, and Khargone, belonging to several liquor contractors implicated in the fraud.
This investigation stemmed from an FIR filed by the Raoji Bazar Police Station in Indore against multiple liquor contractors.
The accused employed a systematic method to deceive the state treasury, where they would create treasury challans for minimal amounts, leaving the “Rupees in Words” column blank. After depositing a lesser sum, they manipulated the figure column to inflate the amounts on the bank's copies, as detailed by the ED.
Point of View
It is crucial to emphasize the importance of integrity in public service. The actions of the Enforcement Directorate in this case reflect a commitment to uncovering corruption and ensuring that those in positions of authority are held accountable for their actions. We stand by the principle that transparency and accountability are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
NationPress
29/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the ED's action against the Punjab patwari?
The Enforcement Directorate initiated action following an FIR by the Vigilance Bureau of Punjab, which accused the patwari of accumulating assets beyond his legal income.
What law did the ED use to attach the property?
The ED used the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to attach the properties.
What was the total value of the properties attached?
The total value of the immovable properties attached by the ED is Rs 2.76 crore.
