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ED raids ex-Haryana minister Gopal Kanda in PMLA case linked to real estate ‘fraud’
Gurugram, Sep 17 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided the residence and farmhouse of former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda in Gurugram as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged real estate fraud, officials said.
Kanda or his legal team could not be immediately contacted for a comment on the ED action.
The officials said the searches were connected to a case against realty company Vatika Limited, which allegedly induced investors in commercial projects on assurances of timely possession, assured returns, lease rentals and execution of sale deeds.
Four projects of the company (Vatika) are under investigation, involving the collection of Rs 248.46 crore from 661 investors without handing over possession or executing the promised sale deeds till date, an ED official said.
The home, farmhouse and office of Kanda were raided as part of tracking the money trail in the case, as it is suspected that “diverted” funds from the real estate firm were transferred to various companies linked to the former minister, the officials said.
Kanda, 60, was raided by the ED in August 2023 too as part of a separate money laundering investigation.
The businessman-politician is a former MLA of the Haryana Lokhit Party from Sirsa, who had served as the minister for home, industries and urban local bodies in the state.
He is also the president of the party that was floated by him.
In 2023, Kanda was acquitted by a Delhi court in the high-profile suicide case involving Geetika Sharma, a former air hostess of MDLR Airlines founded and run by him. PTI NES ARI
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.