Live | ED Arrests Ajay Sehgal in ₹150 Crore Punjab Land Scam | Suntec City CLU Fraud Case

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:01]The Enforcement Directorate has made its first arrest in a money laundering investigation linked to a legit change of land use that is CLU fraud involving large real estate projects at Punjab with Ajay Sehgal the main promoter of the Santex City project developed under the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society taken into custody after questioning at the Jalandhar regional office.

[00:00:25]Sehgal a former secretary of the office was arrested yesterday night and is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court in Mohali. The case stems from an FIR registered in November 2022 at the police station against Sehgal and other office bearers for allegedly cheating land owners and buyers using forged documents. The FIR includes charges under sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

[00:00:55]According to the investigators fraudulent consent letters were created for 30.5 acres of land belonging to 15 farmers with forged signatures and thumb impressions used to secure CLU approvals for the Santex City project. Based on these approvals the developers allegedly raised over rupees 150 crore by enrolling members in the society without executing proper sale deeds. The ED probe further alleges that Sehgal and his associates not only developed Santex City but also launched other projects such as residential complex and the District 11 project with units in both being sold before mandatory regulatory approvals under RERA were obtained leading to proceeds of crime being generated. Investigators also noted that plots reserved for the economically weaker sections that is EWS were not transferred to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority constituting a serious violation of planning norms. And during the investigation the agency pointed to irregularities in CLU approvals. That is granted under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act stating that despite High Court directions, only partial cancellation of CLU for around 30 acres was carried out allegedly allowing the project to continue commercial activity.

[00:02:14]The ED has also indicated possible involvement of officials and middlemen in facilitating approvals in exchange for illegal gratification. Search operations conducted on May 8 and 9 at multiple locations linked to Sehgal, ABS Townships, Altus Space Builders, Thier Constructions and Associates that led to the recovery of nearly rupees 1 crore in cash. And during one raid, officials also recovered about rupees 21 lakh that was allegedly thrown from the ninth floor of a building in an attempt to dispose of evidence. Middlemen identified as Nitin Goel and Pritpal Singh were also questioned during the searches. And as the investigation expanded, the ED summoned Greater Mohali Area Development Authority Chief and IAS officer Sandeep Kumar to provide records that is related to approvals granted to Altus Space Builders along with details of officials involved in clearing the projects. The probe has also examined a transaction in which Gaurav Thier of Thier Constructions through Sun City Projects allegedly acquired a project from Altus Space Builders for rupees 130 crore significantly undervaluing it by more than rupees 170 crore.

[00:03:21]Investigators further alleged links between some of the individuals involved and political circles including associations with Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Aman Arora. Though all these aspects remain under examination and the ED has stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further apprehensions including possible action against public officials allegedly involved in facilitating the approvals and financial irregularities are likely as the probe deepens. Notably, in a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate has made its first arrest in a money laundering case that is linked to the alleged CLU, that is change of land use fraud involving major real estate projects in Punjab including Suntech City. The arrested accused Ajay Sehgal is the main promoter of the project that is developed under the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society and a former secretary of the society. He was taken into custody after questioning at the Jalandhar ED office and is expected to be produced before a PMLA court in Mohali.

[00:04:20]The case originates from an FIR filed in November 2022 at the police station accusing Sehgal and others of cheating land owners and buyers using forged documents. Investigators alleged that fake consent letters with forged signatures and thumb impressions were used to obtain CLU approvals for 30.5 acres of land belonging to 15 farmers and on this basis over rupees 150 crore was reportedly collected from investors without proper sale deeds. And the ED further claims that Sehgal also developed other projects where units were sold before mandatory RERA approvals generating proceeds of crime.

[00:04:56]It was also found that EWS reserved plots were not transferred to Greater Mohali Area Development Authority violating planning norms. And searches at multiple locations led to the cash recoveries of nearly rupees 1 crore including rupees 21 lakh allegedly thrown from a building during raids. And the investigation has expanded to Greater Mohali Area Development Authority officials, developers and middlemen with allegations of bribery and irregular approvals. The ED says that further arrests are likely as the probe continues into the matter.

[00:05:27]That's all for now. Stay tuned to the Savera for more updates. Do like, comment and subscribe to the channel.

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