ED Conducts Major Raids on Former IAS Officer Mohinder Singh, Ex-CEO of Noida Authority, Seizes ₹1 Crore Cash and ₹19 Crore in Jewelry in Land Scam Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a significant investigation into a land scam involving Mohinder Singh, a former IAS officer and the ex-CEO of Noida Authority. This scam, estimated at ₹9,000 crore, allegedly took place during the Mayawati government, where land allotments are suspected to have been manipulated for personal gain.
Recent operations in Chandigarh, Noida, and Delhi led to the seizure of ₹1 crore in cash, diamonds valued at ₹12 crore, and gold worth ₹7 crore. These raids underscore the scale of the investigation into Singh's alleged wrongdoing.
The land scam revolves around the controversial "10% policy" of the Noida Authority, which permitted developers to acquire land at significantly reduced prices. Singh is believed to have facilitated numerous major real estate companies, including Amrapali and Supertech, in taking advantage of this policy.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed substantial fraud committed by the Noida Authority between 2005 and 2018. The CAG's findings indicate a clear collusion between officials and builders, resulting in a massive financial loss to the state. The report highlights that many plots were allocated without adhering to proper bidding procedures, with decisions favoring developers often made arbitrarily.
According to the CAG report, around 80% of commercial plot allotments during this period were acquired by just three firms: Wave Group, 3C Group, and Logix Group. Despite these companies having substantial outstanding debts, they faced no repercussions from the Noida Authority.
As the ED continues its investigations, it is also examining other domestic and international properties linked to Singh. This scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the government and the necessity for enhanced measures to curb corruption among officials involved in land allocation processes.
The ongoing investigations signal a significant step toward accountability in governance, as authorities aim to rectify the malpractices that have marred the reputation of public institutions in the region.
