ED raid: Cash bags thrown from 9th floor in Mohali, ₹21 lakh recovered
Synopsis
During an ED raid at a Mohali residential tower, someone allegedly hurled bags of cash from the ninth floor — a dramatic attempt to destroy evidence that backfired when a driver retrieving the money was chased down and caught. The operation, spanning 12 locations across Mohali and Chandigarh, targets an alleged CLU licence fraud network with reported political proximity.
Key Takeaways
The ED raided 12 locations in Mohali and Chandigarh on 7 May 2025 .
Cash bags were allegedly thrown from the ninth floor of Western Towers near Kharar during the raid on IT professional Nitin Gohal's flat.
A driver who retrieved a bag was apprehended; nearly ₹21 lakh in cash was recovered.
Gohal is allegedly linked to fraudulent CLU licence procurement from GMADA .
Builders including Suntec City , ABS Townships , Altus Builders , and Dhir Constructions were also raided.
The Punjab government denied any link between Gohal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, 7 May conducted raids at a residential flat in Western Towers near Kharar in Punjab's Mohali district, during which two bags allegedly containing cash were thrown from the ninth floor of the building. A driver who reportedly retrieved one of the bags was chased and apprehended by ED officials, who recovered nearly ₹21 lakh in cash, according to officials.
What Happened During the Raid
The flat targeted belonged to Nitin Gohal, described by officials as an IT professional. As the ED team approached the premises, someone inside the flat allegedly threw bags filled with cash bundles into the building compound below. A driver reportedly waiting in the vicinity picked up at least one of the bags and attempted to flee, but was intercepted and apprehended by the raiding team. Morning walkers at the complex had earlier spotted currency notes scattered around the premises and alerted authorities. ED officials subsequently confiscated the bags and continued the search operation.
Scope of the Operation
The ED carried out simultaneous searches across 12 locations in Mohali and Chandigarh, targeting builders, housing projects, and individuals allegedly linked to financial irregularities. Among the premises raided were those of Suntec City builder, owned by Ajay Sehgal, as well as ABS Townships Private Limited, Altus Builders, and Dhir Constructions. Searches also took place at locations in Chandigarh's Sector-16 and Patiala. The premises of Bir Devinder Singh in Mohali, reportedly considered close to an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary, were also searched.
Allegations Against Gohal
According to ED sources, Gohal was allegedly involved in fraudulently obtaining change in land use (CLU) licences from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and cheating the public. He is reportedly considered close to an aide of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, though the Punjab government has pushed back on this characterisation.
Punjab Government's Response
A Punjab government spokesperson confirmed that the ED had raided the home of an IT employee and acknowledged that a bag of cash was thrown from the ninth floor, with a driver apprehended below. However, the spokesperson denied any association between Gohal and the Chief Minister's office.
Point of View
Questions arise about operational security within the agency itself. More broadly, the alleged CLU fraud at GMADA points to a systemic rot in Punjab's land-use approval pipeline that predates the current government but has clearly not been dismantled. The Punjab government's swift denial of political proximity, even before the investigation concludes, is itself a political signal worth noting.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the ED raid at Mohali's Western Towers?
During an ED raid on 7 May 2025 at a flat in Western Towers near Kharar, Mohali, someone allegedly threw two bags containing cash from the ninth floor of the building. A driver who picked up the bags was chased and apprehended by ED officials, who recovered nearly ₹21 lakh in cash.
Who is Nitin Gohal and what is he accused of?
Nitin Gohal is an IT professional whose flat in Western Towers, Mohali was raided by the ED. He is allegedly involved in fraudulently obtaining change in land use (CLU) licences from the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and cheating the public. He is reportedly considered close to an aide of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, an allegation the Punjab government has denied.
How many locations were raided by the ED in this operation?
The ED conducted searches at 12 locations across Mohali and Chandigarh, including premises of builders such as Suntec City, ABS Townships Private Limited, Altus Builders, and Dhir Constructions, as well as locations in Chandigarh's Sector-16 and Patiala.
Has the Punjab government responded to the raids?
Yes. A Punjab government spokesperson confirmed the raid and the cash recovery but denied any association between Nitin Gohal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office, stating it is incorrect to describe him as anyone's aide. The matter remains under investigation.
What is a CLU licence and why is it significant?
A Change in Land Use (CLU) licence is an official approval that allows land designated for one purpose — such as agriculture — to be used for another, such as residential or commercial development. Fraudulent CLU licences can enable illegal construction and financial fraud, making their procurement a key area of scrutiny in Punjab's real estate sector.
