Chandigarh: Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams on Wednesday evening forcibly entered government bungalow number 926 in Sector 39, Chandigarh, where Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain has been residing, officials said. The action was part of an ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities connected to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
What happened at the bungalow
ED personnel broke the locks and entered the premises after Jain was not present, according to sources. The former minister had held a meeting at the residence in the morning concerning sand mining matters and subsequently left for Delhi later in the day, the sources added.
Wider raids across states
The move at the Chandigarh bungalow followed a series of searches carried out by the ED a day earlier at the GMADA headquarters and several other locations across Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi. The probe centres on transactions and dealings of Delhi‑based Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd and entities linked to it, officials said.
The agency is examining alleged irregularities in:
- land acquisition processes,
- change‑of‑land‑use (CLU) permissions,
- property auctions and financial concessions to private developers,
- decisions connected to acquisition of more than 5,000 acres in Mohali and New Chandigarh.
Judicial oversight sought
Late on Wednesday, the Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking judicial oversight of the ED's actions. The court has appointed a Warrant Officer to monitor the raids and directed a status report to be filed by 2 pm on Thursday, court records showed.
Political reaction
The Aam Aadmi Party criticised the ED operation, characterising it as heavy‑handed. The party questioned the timing and necessity of breaking the locks and alleged the central agencies were attempting to disrupt GMADA’s functioning and stall state welfare initiatives.
“They cannot do anything except break the locks. Why are they so desperate? They could have waited for Jain to come back,” a party leader said, adding that the Centre was trying to create hurdles for the Bhagwant Mann government’s welfare schemes, including the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna.
Scope of the probe
Officials involved in the investigation have focused on alleged manipulation of statutory planning and acquisition procedures, as well as the grant of concessions and CLU approvals favouring private realtors. The ED has not released public details of any seizures or arrests in connection with these searches.
Local implications
The probe has potential ramifications for large tracts of planned development in and around Mohali and New Chandigarh. Any findings of impropriety in land acquisition or planning decisions could affect ongoing projects, investor confidence and housing schemes tied to GMADA. Administrative continuity at GMADA may also come under strain as investigations proceed.
Timeline at a glance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Day before | ED conducted searches at GMADA headquarters and multiple locations in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi |
| Wednesday evening | ED broke locks and entered government bungalow No. 926, Sector 39, Chandigarh |
| Late Wednesday | Punjab government moved Punjab & Haryana High Court for judicial intervention |
| Thursday by 2 pm | Warrant Officer to submit status report to the High Court |
What to watch next
The immediate developments to monitor include the High Court status report, any formal statements or charges by the ED, and disclosures about evidence or asset attachments regarding the companies under investigation. Political fallout in Punjab is likely to continue as parties respond to further moves in the probe.
As the matter involves administrative decisions on land and planning that affect local development, stakeholders — including homebuyers, developers and municipal authorities — will be watching for clarity on the legal and administrative consequences that may follow from the investigation.
