The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out raids in at least 8 districts of Punjab in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an alleged Guava orchards compensation scam of Rs 137 crore. ED raided multiple IAS officers' premises, property dealers, and even some farmers in the alleged Guava Orchard Compensation Case. ED sleuths also conducted raids at the residence of Ferozepur DC Rajesh Dhiman and ED’s accountant in Patiala. Taking cognizance of a Punjab Vigilance Bureau case pertaining to alleged embezzlement of nearly Rs 137 crore released as compensation for guava orchards on land acquired by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), the ED has registered the case. Now, the question arises what is the Guava orchard compensation scam?
What is the Guava Orchard Compensation Scam?
Punjab Vigilance Bureau in May 2023 had registered an FIR under Sections 409, 420, 465, 466, 468, 471, 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13(1) (a), 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act in Mohali. The Vigilance Bureau in its official release had said that the agency registered a case FIR no. 16 in 2023 after unearthing a huge scam about embezzlement of about Rs 137 crores released under the disguise of compensation for said Guava orchards situated on the land acquired for development of Aerotropolis city by acquiring agricultural land on some villages including village Bakarpur and others situated alongside the Airport Road in SAS Nagar city.
