ED raids 8 Delhi-NCR locations in housing society fraud, seizes ₹6.63 crore
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 10 July conducted searches across more than eight locations in Delhi-NCR in connection with an alleged housing society fraud involving the former president and directors of Shanti Niketan Co-operative Group Housing Society Ltd (SGHS). The raids, carried out by the ED's Gurugram unit, led to the seizure of incriminating documents, digital devices, and valuables worth ₹6.63 crore.
Locations Searched and Individuals Targeted
The searches covered 8 residential and official premises across Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurugram, targeting three individuals — Arun Sharma, Anil Sharma, and Mangal Sain Mittal — along with their private business entities. All three are under investigation for allegedly defrauding members of SGHS. The ED also froze several bank accounts linked to the accused during the proceedings.
What Was Seized
Investigators impounded multiple digital devices, property documents, audited financial records, and evidence of alleged fund diversion. The cash and valuables recovered included unaccounted cash of ₹55 lakh, gold worth ₹1.85 crore, gold jewellery worth ₹1.95 crore, and silver weighing approximately 100 kg valued at ₹2.28 crore.
How the Alleged Fraud Was Operated
According to the ED, Mangal Sain — the then President of SGHS — allegedly conspired with Anil Sharma and Arun Sharma, Directors of M/s Connoisseur Infrabuild Pvt. Ltd. (CIPL), to fraudulently take control of the society. The accused allegedly misappropriated members' funds, inducted forged members, concealed official records, and abandoned the housing project after collecting substantial sums.
Investigators also found that Anil Sharma and Mangal Sain illegally sold 34 unauthorised memberships beyond the society's sanctioned limit of 98 memberships. The ED stated that the accused operated a dual payment mechanism — collecting money both through official bank accounts and in cash. In total, ₹90.50 crore has reportedly been collected from society members through both channels.
Regulatory and Legal Background
The ED's action follows a probe initiated under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, in which the individuals and their associates were booked for alleged financial and housing fraud. The investigation is ongoing, with the agency examining the illicit diversion of society funds to business entities controlled by the accused or their associates. This comes amid a broader pattern of ED enforcement actions targeting co-operative housing fraud across the National Capital Region.
What Happens Next
With bank accounts frozen and digital evidence in hand, the ED is expected to pursue formal attachment of proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Further arrests or summons to the accused remain a possibility as the agency maps the full money trail.