The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken strong action against illegal mining activities in Punjab. The agency has attached 44 properties, including agricultural lands spanning over 85 acres, worth around Rs. 30 crore. These lands are located in districts like Ludhiana, Roop Nagar, SAS Nagar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. The properties belong to Kuldeep Singh Makkar, Angad Singh Makkar, Puneet Singh Makkar, and their business groups.
The ED’s investigation revealed that these individuals and their companies were involved in illegal sand and gravel mining. The case started after multiple FIRs were filed by Haryana Police under various laws, including the IPC and Environment Protection Act. These FIRs accused several companies and individuals of illegal mining in Yamuna Nagar district, using unauthorized methods and fake documents to bypass rules.
It is estimated that the illegal mining activities generated over Rs. 300 crore in proceeds, with Angad Singh Makkar and his family taking home more than Rs. 110 crore of that money. The ED found that the mining companies operated on lands without permission and used fake electronic rawan (permit) documents. They also reported that all the sales were made in cash, and the money was distributed secretly among the syndicate members.
Earlier, the ED conducted searches and arrested some key suspects, including Dilbag Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Surender Panwar, and Angad Singh Makkar, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The agency also attached properties worth approximately Rs. 122 crore belonging to Dilbag Singh and associates, which was later officially approved.
During searches, the ED found evidence of large cash transactions and fake documents linked to the illegal mining. Statements from employees and financial records confirmed that this syndicate earned huge amounts of cash through illicit mining activities and laundered the money.
The case is currently under further investigation, and a Prosecution Complaint has been filed before the Special Court in Ambala, which has taken cognizance of the matter. The ED continues to work on unveiling the full extent of this illegal mining syndicate and taking necessary action.
