Based on the irregularities committed in the Punjab Forest Department, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) searched 15 places across Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and New Delhi on November 30, 2023, in accordance with the terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The residences of former forest ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Sangat Singh Giljian, as well as those of their colleagues, forest officers, and other private citizens, have all been searched.
The Forest Department was the subject of several irregularities, including the receipt of bribes by concerned Ministers/Officers (former forest minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot) against the issuance of permits for the felling of Khair trees, transfers/postings within the department, the issuance of NOCs from the department, the purchase of tree guards by the department, etc. The Forest Department was the subject of an investigation by the ED based on a formal complaint filed by the Vigilance Bureau, Punjab under various sections of the IPC, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The results of the ED investigation showed that payments had been made in return for permits to cut trees, transfer or post information in the Forest Department, etc.
Numerous damning papers, digital devices, and cell phones, among other items, were found during the search operations. These items appear to provide prima facie evidence of suspicious transactions involving individuals who are being investigated under the PMLA, 2002. Additional research is currently being conducted.
