ED conducts search operations in Delhi, Haryana in illegal mining case

New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations across multiple locations in Haryana and Delhi under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an illegal mining case, the agency said on Friday.

The searches were conducted at the premises of partners and associates of the M/s Govardhan Mines and Minerals.

The people searched by the law enforcement agency include Ravita, Pankaj Singh, Jagat Singh, Sanjay Gupta, Sombir Singh, Naveen Kumar, and others.

During the search operations, various incriminating documents, digital devices, a luxury car worth Rs 1.50 crore, and cash worth Rs 5 Lakh were seized. The ED also froze a bank account of a firm which had a balance of Rs 41 lakh.

The Enforcement Directorate launched an investigation based on a Prosecution Complaint filed by the Regional Officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Bhiwani, with the Special Environment Court in Kurukshetra. The complaint alleges that M/s Govardhan Mines and Minerals violated Environment Clearance conditions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Additionally, an FIR was registered by the Haryana Police under various sections of the IPC, 1860, the agency stated in a release.

ED investigation revealed that the Firm M/s Govardhan Mines and Minerals has been involved in large-scale illegal and unscientific mining in the Dadam area of Haryana. It had led to large-scale damage to the Environment and huge loss to the exchequer.

The unscientific mining in the area led to slope instabilities killing five people.

ED investigation further revealed that Vedpal Singh Tanwar is the key managerial person, who not only acquired mining rights illegally but also led to illegal and unscientific mining beyond permissible limits.

Proceeds of Crime to the tune of Rs. 56 Crore have been generated from the said illegal mining which are in possession of Vedpal Singh Tanwar and other persons searched.

Earlier, searches were also conducted in the case on August 3, 2023, wherein large-scale incriminating documents, jewellery worth Rs 3.7 Crore, cash of Rs. 26.45 Lakh, and a car worth Rs 1 crore were seized.

Tanwar was arrested by the ED on May 30 and is currently in judicial custody.

Further investigation is under progress, the agency said.