ED raids 'aide' of Punjab CM's OSD, others in land 'fraud' case
Chandigarh (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh, including the premises of an alleged close associate of an OSD in the CMO, as part of a money laundering probe into an alleged land fraud case, officials said.
They said about a dozen locations in Mohali and Chandigarh linked to Suntec City project, Ajay Sehgal, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, Dhir Constructions and associates are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
A person named Nitin Gohal is also being searched by the agency and he is alleged to have "helped" builders who "defaulted" in payment of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) fees and arranging "political protection" for them, ED officials said.
Officials claimed Gohal, an IT professional, was linked to Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The accused have been charged with fraud in obtaining CLU (change of land use) licences from GMADA and subsequently cheating public. They are alleged to have collected funds worth crores of rupees from the investors, the officials said.
The officials said an incident of recovery of cash, that was apparently flung from a high-rise building, has also taken place in Mohali. The agency was trying to ascertain the value of the cash, they said.
Sources said the incident took place in Mohali's Kharar area where two bags stuffed with Rs 500 denomination cash were seen lying on the ground, indicating that they were thrown from a flat in a residential society following the ED raid.
A few bundles of cash could also be seen scattered on the ground of the residential society, the sources said.
A video of bags containing cash lying on the ground went viral on social media.
The sources added that a raid operation was carried out at the flat located in Western Towers in Kharar by ED sleuths.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia posted on X about the two cash bags.
"Crores of Money, 500 notes flying in Air. Money Belongs to whom--- OSD CM Mann Rajbir' Singh. 'Kattar Fraudsters' in ED trap. ED raids on CM Bhagwant Mann's close aide OSD Rajbir' Ghumman's close aides and relatives Nitin, Veer davinder," Majithia said in Punjabi.
"ED raids Mohali high-rise linked to CM Mann's aide; Rs 500 notes fly around after bags thrown from 9th floor. Crores of money is thrown out of 9th floor, Crores of money is flying in Air after ED raid on CM Mann's close aide's relatives. Hawala transactions unearthed. Major expose would land soon," he added.
The ED, over the last few weeks, has undertaken some major action against politically-linked persons in Punjab, which is slated to go to polls in early 2027.
It raided the premises of Punjab Industries Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjeev Arora, his son, some others, and then AAP Rajya Sabha member Ashok Kumar Mittal in separate cases. Mittal recently joined the BJP along with six other AAP MPs.
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Noida airport to begin ops next month with IndiGo flights to Lucknow, Bengaluru
Noida (PTI): IndiGo on Thursday announced that it will start commercial flight operations from the Noida International Airport in Jewar from June 15, becoming the launch carrier for the greenfield airport in western Uttar Pradesh.
The first day flights will be to and fro Lucknow and Bengaluru, the airline said in a statement.
Noida International Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 28.
IndiGo said it will be the first carrier to start commercial services from the airport, the third in the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the airline, inaugural flights on June 15 will operate on the Lucknow-Noida-Bengaluru-Noida-Lucknow sector.
As per the announced schedule, flight 6E 2278 will depart from Lucknow at 7.05 am and arrive in Noida at 8.05 am before departing for Bengaluru at 8.35 am and landing there at 11.05 am.
The return flight, 6E 2279, will leave Bengaluru at 3.45 pm and reach Noida at 6.20 pm before departing for Lucknow at 6.55 pm and arriving there at 8 pm.
IndiGo said it will gradually introduce direct flights connecting Noida International Airport to more than 16 destinations across the country, including metro cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad, besides tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Jaipur, Lucknow, Navi Mumbai, Pantnagar and Srinagar.
The airline said bookings for the flights are being opened in phases through its website, mobile application and authorised travel partners.
Aloke Singh, Chief Strategy Officer of IndiGo, said the airline was pleased to announce the launch of operations from Noida International Airport.
"Strategically positioned on the Yamuna Expressway, Noida International Airport will be the new gateway for western Uttar Pradesh alongside the NCR. As we continue to expand our operations, we remain committed to delivering affordable, on-time and hassle-free travel experiences," Singh said.
IndiGo said the airport is expected to emerge as a major domestic aviation hub and will strengthen connectivity between Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh through integrated road and rail infrastructure.
