Former Chief Engineer of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Surendra Pal Singh aka Pahalwan, along with his wife Mandeep Kaur, and several private companies’ directors are set to face a case of money laundering. Upon a complaint by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the special court in Mohali has ordered the filing of this case. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had previously registered a case of cheating and corruption against Pahalwan and several of his associates in this matter.
During the tenure of the Shiromani Akali Dal government in Punjab, the accused indulged in corruption while holding positions in GMADA and the Punjab Mandi Board. This was later revealed during the tenure of the Congress government.
Illegally profiting from the position, Surendra Pal amassed millions of rupees by offering services as Chief Engineer in both the Mandi Board and GMADA departments under various divisions of the Punjab government. He misused his position to earn millions. In investigation, the ED found that Pahalwan received millions of rupees from several companies in exchange for work while holding the position of Chief Engineer. He earned millions and created three companies, investing all the money earned from these dealings. The ED has seized 63 properties belonging to Pahalwan, his relatives, and close associates. All these properties were acquired through illegal means. Prior to this, the ED had also seized FDs (Fixed Deposits) worth 5.93 crore rupees in various banks belonging to Pahalwan.The source of income could not be traced by the Engineer Pahalwan. Initially, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had filed a case against Engineer Surendra Pal alias Pahalwan regarding corruption, but after the revelation of transactions worth millions in bank accounts and investments in companies, the Enforcement Directorate took over the case. Upon reaching the Enforcement Directorate, Pahalwan was asked to provide an account of millions of rupees by presenting a list of questions. He was questioned about the source of income. However, despite having FDs worth millions and properties valued at millions alongside the establishment of three private companies, Engineer Pahalwan failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. In response, the ED took action.
