In a major growth, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, a Congress chief and former Punjab forest minister, below the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The arrest is linked to an ongoing investigation into an alleged forest rip-off in the state.
The 64-year-old politician was taken into custody in Jalandhar because the ED intensified its scrutiny of the case. Earlier in November final 12 months, the company carried out raids on Dharamsot’s premises, together with these of one other forest minister, Sangat Singh Giljian, and several other officers from the forest division.
The investigation revolves round allegations of bribery inside the state forest division, significantly regarding the issuance of permits for tree felling and issues associated to switch or posting inside the division. The ED’s motion is part of the broader probe into monetary irregularities and corrupt practices in the forest division.
Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, a five-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), has beforehand confronted authorized troubles. Last 12 months, he was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in a case associated to the alleged possession of disproportionate property. His political profession has seen illustration from the Nabha meeting seat.
The money laundering case stems from an FIR filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. The investigation focuses on irregularities inside the forest division, together with accusations of accepting bribes by ministers and officers for issuing permits associated to tree felling, switch/posting, issuance of NOC, and procurement of tree guards.
As the previous forest minister faces authorized proceedings, the ED’s actions underscore the concerted efforts to handle corruption and monetary misconduct inside the state administration, particularly in issues impacting the environmental sector.
Also learn | DGCA points new SOPs: Airlines could cancel flights delayed past 3 hours
