Improvement trust officials’ Rs 5-cr properties attached

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Jalandhar, has provisionally attached immovable properties and bank balances worth Rs 5.58 crore belonging to Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) officials.

Properties of then Chairman of the LIT Raman Bala Subramaniam, Executive Officer Kuljit Kaur, New Senior Secondary School Society, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, and others have been attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED initiated investigation on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana, under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The ED investigation revealed that LIT officials, in connivance with some private persons, allotted plots of their choice to some individuals, extended illicit waiver of non-construction fee, overlooked violations of allotment terms in lieu of bribe, besides allotting plots to some ineligible persons and entities.

The probe further revealed that the proceeds of crime were deposited in bank accounts and invested in immovable properties.

On August 24, 2023, searches were conducted at six locations and around Rs 31 lakh was seized/freezed under Section 17 of the PMLA.