ED Freezes Assets Worth Rs 25 Crore Linked to Illegal Mining in Haryana
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has seized assets worth Rs 25.16 crore from Sunder Marketing Associates linked to illegal mining in Haryana, with further actions against company officials under PMLA, 2002. This follows prior investigations revealing environmental damage and financial loss due to illegal mining activities.
Key Takeaways
- ED seizes assets worth Rs 25.16 crore.
- Company linked to illegal mining in Haryana.
- Actions taken under PMLA, 2002.
- Investigation reveals environmental impact.
- Illegal mining practices led to fatalities.
New Delhi, April 7 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate has frozen assets valued at Rs 25.16 crore related to a money laundering case involving a firm purportedly connected to illegal mining operations in Haryana, as reported by an official on Monday.
The raid on Sunder Marketing Associates was executed by the ED Headquarters in New Delhi, resulting in the confiscation of assets like cash, agricultural lands, residential plots, a residential house, a flat, and a commercial office.
In addition, the ED has taken action against company officials and partners, including Raman Sokhal s/o Vinod Sokhal, Satbir Chhikara, and others, under the provisions of the PMLA, 2002.
The firm is accused of utilizing deceit and forged documentation to secure mining contracts.
This operation was a follow-up to a case that emerged during an investigation prompted by a complaint lodged by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board against another entity, Govardhan Mines and Minerals, for illegal mining in Dadam Hill located in the Bhiwani district.
In August 2023, the ED had carried out searches against both Sunder Marketing Associates and Govardhan Mines along with their affiliates concerning the illegal mining allegations. Both firms faced a penalty of Rs 65 crore imposed by the National Green Tribunal for illegal mining activities.
In July 2024, the ED conducted searches at the premises of Govardhan Mines and Minerals across various locations, including Hisar, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Panchkula, and Delhi. The individuals whose properties were searched included Ravita, Pankaj Singh, Jagat Singh, Sanjay Gupta, Sombir Singh, Naveen Kumar, among others.
During these searches, several incriminating documents, digital devices, Rs 5 lakh in cash, and a BMW car worth Rs 1.50 crore were confiscated, while the firm's bank accounts, holding a balance of Rs 41 lakh, were frozen.
The ED's investigation uncovered that Govardhan Mines and Minerals was engaged in extensive illegal and unscientific mining in the Dadam region of Haryana, resulting in significant environmental harm and a considerable loss to the exchequer.
The unscientific mining practices in the area also caused slope instabilities, leading to the tragic deaths of five individuals.
