Corruption
Few More IAS Officers on Agencies’ Radar for Undisclosed Properties in Noida, NCR, Following Mohinder Singh Racket Crackdown
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out extensive raids on Wednesday at the premises of Sharada Export’s owner in Meerut, along with associated individuals and retired officials allegedly involved in collusion. The operation targeted five individuals, including retired IAS officer Mohinder Singh from Chandigarh and businessman Aditya Gupta from Meerut.
Diamonds worth Crores Seized
During the raids, diamonds worth Rs 7 crore were recovered from Mohinder Singh’s residence, and diamonds worth Rs 5 crore were found at Aditya Gupta’s home. Additionally, the operation uncovered Rs 7 crore in gold, cash, and several suspicious document.
Sources indicate that the ED had previously raided locations associated with Sharada Export in Meerut, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Goa on Tuesday, leading to the discovery of significant documentation. Following this, two teams from the ED conducted early morning raids at Mohinder Singh’s residence on Wednesday.
Seizure from Multiple Homes
The ED officials reported that the raids resulted in the seizure of gold and other jewelry worth Rs 7crore from three houses. Numerous documents were also discovered, which the individuals could not satisfactorily explain. All documents have been confiscated.
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In Meerut, the ED team investigated the prominent businessman Jitendra Gupta, owner of Sharada Export, until early Wednesday morning. Gupta stated that the ED team arrived for an inquiry, and his company fully cooperated with the investigation.
The ED team arrived at Gupta’s residence in Saket on Tuesday and examined matters related to properties in Noida. The raids continued until early Wednesday, after which the team left with various documents. Local police ensured complete lockdown of the area, and diamonds worth approximately Rs 7 crore were discovered hidden in Singh’s bed and wardrobe.
Gang of Natwarlal
The term “Natwarlal,” often associated with a notorious con artist, is used metaphorically to describe Singh’s old associates in Noida.
Sources claim that Sardar Mohinder Singh has properties spread across Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Goa, Mumbai, and Dubai. Four “Natwarlal” in Noida are responsible for managing all these properties. In Goa, the management of the properties involves seemingly legitimate individuals who pretend to be engaged in other businesses.
Reports indicate that during this period, he and his associates used money-counting machines at their residences to tally illegal earnings, which were then hidden in undisclosed locations. Various officials, police, and politicians were reportedly benefiting from this corruption, and the public was aware of the money-counting machines in their homes.
Land Allotted at Throughaway Prices in collusion with Builders
During his tenure as CEO, Singh allegedly broke records for corruption, selling government land at throwaway prices. This illicit gain led to the accumulation of immense wealth, aided by several accomplices, some of whom have disappeared, while others remain active in Noida. Singh was involved in a scheme in Noida known as Lotus Boulevard, which reportedly took crores from investors under the pretext of building luxury apartments.
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Properties Worth Crores Seized
The ED also raided the homes of Ashish Gupta and his brother Aditya Gupta, associated with Sharada Export. Diamonds worth Rs 5 crore were recovered from Aditya’s home, but the traders could not provide satisfactory explanations for their possession. The ED searched thoroughly for about five hours, confiscating laptops, computers, and five mobile phones.
Sharada Export, owned by Jitendra Gupta, is a major carpet manufacturing business based in Meerut, also involved in wooden furniture exports. The company is reported to supply carpets to over seven countries and operates in various international markets.
Jitendra Gupta stated that his company has always cooperated with investigations and maintains that no wrongdoing has ever occurred. He could not specify the investigation’s details, leaving that to the officials.
Few more IAS Officers on the radar
After Mohinder Singh, a few more IAS officers are also on the radar of agencies for their undisclosed properties in Noida registered under the name of relatives and large houses in prominent resort of greater Noida are also under scrutiny. Top agencies will compare their properties declared in annual disclosure under The All India Services Rules with those owned by family members and close relatives. Those who have violated THE ALL INDIA SERVICES (CONDUCT) RULES, 1968, will now face the music as well.