The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again submitted a request for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against various private individuals and high-ranking officials from the Punjab government, alleging their involvement in corrupt practices. This marks the third time the agency has made such a request.

In a letter dated August 31, addressed to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the ED urged that the FIR be filed against the individuals mentioned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and requested that a copy of the FIR be provided to the federal agency promptly.

The ED’s actions are part of a broader investigation into money laundering, which arose from searches executed between May 7 and May 10 at the residences of Ajay Sehgal, Nitin Gohal, and Suresh Kumar Bajaj. This inquiry is related to a significant land fraud involving Change of Land Use, which is tied to a larger money laundering case worth Rs. 348 crore connected to the Suntec City project.

The case involves allegations of extensive and systemic corruption linked to senior officials in the state, as detailed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court the previous week. On August 28, the High Court inquired about the actions the Punjab government plans to undertake in response to these serious corruption allegations, emphasizing the need for a thorough and careful reply from the authorities.

A Division Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, instructed the ED to present any correspondence sent to the Punjab DGP and requested the state’s position regarding these allegations.

“Before we move forward to address the grievances raised… it seems prudent to ask the ED’s counsel to submit the relevant communications sent to the DGP… as claimed by the petitioner. If such communications exist, we also wish to hear from the Advocate-General of Punjab about the proposed actions or responses from the State police and the government itself,” the bench stated while scheduling the matter for September 3.

This directive was issued following a petition by Advocate Nikhil Saraf, who accused senior officials in Punjab of misusing their positions, conspiring criminally, and manipulating governmental processes, tenders, and administrative functions. The petition claims that these officials were involved in various illicit activities, including bribery for transfers, favorable policies, and tenders.

The Punjab police had previously requested additional information from the ED, claiming that the documents submitted with the FIR request were unclear. In response to this request, the ED stated on August 31 that the information shared was in accordance with Section 66(2) of the PMLA-2002 and had been properly vetted and approved by the competent authority. They reaffirmed that the law mandates them to share such information for necessary action, without requiring further verification or original documents as a prerequisite for FIR registration.

The ED emphasized the urgency of registering the FIR, citing concerns that any delay could result in the destruction or tampering of evidence. The agency requested that the FIR be filed immediately based on the already provided information, supplemented by clear copies and necessary certifications, and that a copy of the registered FIR be sent to them before the next hearing date of September 3, 2026.

Additionally, the ED has already submitted a comprehensive 200-page response to the High Court, which includes over 150 pages of WhatsApp communications among the individuals targeted for the FIR.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar serves as a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is a key reporter for stories related to the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the complex socio-political issues affecting the border districts.

Brar’s expertise encompasses various significant areas, including:

• Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has in-depth knowledge of the Akal Takht and SGPC, often covering topics related to religious edicts, Panthic politics, and the role of Sikh institutions.
• National Security & Crime: His reporting includes issues like cross-border drug trafficking, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of extremist groups.
• Regional Politics: He is the main correspondent for the Majha region, focusing on elections and political developments in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur.

In late 2025, Brar’s notable articles have dealt with judicial matters, local elections, and religious controversies, including coverage of significant decisions by the Akal Takht and tensions between religious bodies and digital platforms.