In accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted searches on 03/08/2023 at various locations in Delhi, Hisar, Bhiwani, Karnal, and Yamuna Nagar (Haryana) belonging to M/s. Govardhan Mines & Minerals, M/s. Sunder Marketing and Associates, and their associates in the illegal mining case.
According to the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), ED launched a money-laundering investigation after receiving a prosecution complaint from the regional officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board in Bhiwani before the Ld. Special Environment Court in Kurukshetra alleging that the entities had violated the terms of their environmental clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The National Green Tribunal (NGT), located in Delhi, also fined M/s. Sunder Mining and Associates and M/s. Govardhan Mines & Minerals a combined total of Rs. 65 crores for engaging in unreported and unlawful mining that significantly harmed the environment.
Various damning papers have been discovered and confiscated by the ED during search operations. These records demonstrate that these enterprises engaged in unlawful mining while breaking the environmental permissions that had been issued to them, which resulted in the acquisition of hundreds of crores in criminal profits. Additionally, records discovered and seized show that M/s. Sunder Marketing and Associate & others used deception to get a mining contract.
During the search activities, orders were obtained under the PMLA to freeze the Group’s bank vaults and bank accounts. A Mercedes automobile with an acquisition value of around Rs. 1.25 crore, Rs. 26.45 lacks in cash, and damning papers, including digital evidence, hard discs, mobiles, etc., were all found during the search. Further research is now being conducted.
