CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) provisionally attached assets worth ₹14.06 crore on June 30 as part of a money‑laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The affected properties—two houses and seven apartments—are situated in Chandigarh, New Delhi, and Gurugram, and were owned by former Haryana IAS officer Murari Lal Tayal, his wife Savita Tayal, and son Kartik Tayal .
The action comes after a CBI FIR filed in 2017 accused Tayal—who served as principal secretary to then-Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda (2005–2009) and later as a Competition Commission of India member (2009–2014)—of acquiring assets far beyond his known income during 2006–14. The ED’s investigation examined tax returns, stock trades, and bank records to reveal proceeds from illegal gratification .
CBI Chargesheet Pending, Trial Yet to Begin
Although a CBI chargesheet was filed in 2024, the trial has not commenced due to pending governmental approvals required under service rules. The ED’s latest attachment is designed to prevent asset dissipation ahead of trial .
The ED statement confirms that the assets were provisionally seized under the PMLA. These include bank balances, houses in Chandigarh and Gurugram, and flats in New Delhi, totalling ₹14.06 crore. While the legal process continues, the agency says the move reflects its commitment to freezing tainted wealth even before adjudication .
Political Ties and Broader Legal Ramifications
Case Closely Linked to Land‑Acquisition Probe
The investigation dovetails with a comprehensive CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the 2004 Manesar land‑acquisition scandal. Critics accuse Hooda’s government of undervaluing land and favouring private builders—a case that has triggered multiple FIRs and is pending in court .
Signal to Bureaucracy: No Safe Haven
Legal experts view this as a critical message to former bureaucrats and public officials, emphasising that enviable government connections can’t shield accumulated illicit wealth. The ED’s swift PMLA attachment underscores a proactive stance against financial malfeasance.
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What Comes Next?
Authorities must now seek court approval to convert the provisional order into a permanent attachment after presenting evidence of disproportionate assets. Success would empower agencies to recover illicit wealth and bolster accountability in public office.
Meanwhile, the CBI anticipates commencing trial proceedings, provided required clearances are granted. With multiple high-profile land deals under scrutiny, Tayal’s case could shape outcomes in ongoing investigations related to Former CM Hooda and the broader Haryana land scam.
About the Author – Sahhil Taware is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.