Illegal mining case: ED seizes Rs 4.06 cr in raids at 14 places in Punjab, Himanchal

New Delhi [India], May 30 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash amounting to Rs 4.06 crore during raids conducted at 14 residential and business premises in various districts across Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in connection with a money laundering probe relating to an illegal mining case, the agency said on Thursday.
Various incriminating evidence, documents and mobile phones were also seized during these raids conducted in Punjab's Rupnagar (Ropar), Hoshiarpur, Mandi Gobindgarh (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Una in Himachal Pradesh under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on Wednesday.
ED's Jalandhar-based unit carried out the raids in relation to an illegal mining case as part of its probe, which was initiated after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed by the Punjab Police under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The ED's investigation revealed that Nasib Chand, proprietor of Shri Ram Stone Crusher, was carrying out illegal mining on the land attached by the ED in the infamous Bhola Drugs case.
During the investigation, the ED said that it was further revealed that Nasib Chand was also carrying out rampant illegal mining in other areas of Ropar district.
"Various transactions related to the transfer of funds among other persons and entities involved in illegal mining surfaced during the investigation. These entities were also covered under the search operations," the agency added.