New Delhi, September 30
Directorate of Enforcement (ED), New Delhi has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs. 56.97 Crore in the case of M/s. Goverdhan Mines and Minerals (GMM), Hisar, Haryana, Vedpal Singh Tanwar and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The movable assets in the form of cash, bank balances, jewellery, high end luxury cars etc., valuing Rs. 4.81 Crore and immovable properties in the form of farmhouses, agricultural lands, residential plots, residential house, flat, commercial office amounting to Rs. 52.16 Crore have been attached.
ED initiated the investigation on the basis of the Prosecution Complaint filed by Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) under the Environment Protection (EP) Act, 1986 and FIR registered by Haryana Police under various sections of IPC, 1860 against M/s. Goverdhan Mines and Minerals (GMM) and others.
ED investigation revealed that Vedpal Singh Tanwar, in connivance with his close associates formed M/s. GMM and obtained mining lease of ‘Dadam Hill’ located in village Tosham, District Bhiwani, Haryana, in the year 2019 for mining of ‘Stone and Associated Minor Mineral’ and have acquired ill-gotten money by illegal & unscientific mining beyond the mining area and in contravention of the provisions of the Environment Protection (EP) Act, 1986, causing loss to the exchequer and corresponding gains to themselves. It is worth mentioning here that rampant illegal mining in the area caused landslides killing
5 persons.
Earlier, searches were conducted to trace and seize proceeds of crime, which have resulted into recovery and seizure of incriminating documents, including cash, bank balances, jewellery, luxury cars etc. worth Rs. 4.81 Crore. During the course of investigation, Vedpal Singh Tanwar, the key person of M/s. GMM, was arrested under PMLA, 2002 by the ED on 30.05.2024. The Hon’ble Special Court, Saket granted ED custody of Vedpal Singh Tanwar till 10.06.2024 and after that he was sent to judicial custody. Presently he is on interim bail on medical grounds.
ED investigation revealed that by illegal and unscientific mining the accused persons have acquired Proceeds of Crime (PoC) to the tune of Rs. 78.14 Crore and the same were used in purchase and acquisition of movable and immovable properties. During investigation, assets of the accused identified worth Rs. 56.97 Crore, out of the above quantified PoC of Rs.78.14 Crore have been attached.
