IAS officer Kanwal Preet Brar appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its Jalandhar office on Tuesday, following summons in connection with an ongoing money-laundering case linked to the Suntec City project in Mohali.
The case revolves around the granting of modified Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions for the project. Brar, a 2007-batch Punjab cadre officer, is currently serving as Secretary in the Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab.
ED questions IAS officer over CLU permissions in Mohali project
The investigation by the ED pertains to Brar's tenure when she served as Director, Town and Country Planning, in 2024. She arrived at the ED office at 10:25 am carrying documents with her.
According to The Tribune, the ED officials are expected to question her about the processing and approval of CLU permissions allegedly based on certain irregularities.
What is the Suntec City land scam case about?
The investigation focuses on how modified CLU permissions were granted for the Suntec City project in Mohali. CLU permissions are required in India when land is converted from one use to another, such as from agricultural to commercial or residential use.
The ED is examining whether the permissions were processed and approved improperly, which forms the basis of the money-laundering allegations. The probe covers the period when Brar held the position of Director, Town and Country Planning.
"The ED officials are expected to question her about the processing and approval of CLU permissions allegedly based on..." — The Tribune
Brar's career and current position
Brar belongs to the 2007 batch of the Punjab cadre of the Indian Administrative Service. Her current posting is as Secretary in the Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab. The ED summons and her appearance relate specifically to her earlier role in the Town and Country Planning department.
The investigation is part of a broader money-laundering case being pursued by the Enforcement Directorate. The agency has been examining the CLU permission process for the Suntec City project, with Brar's appearance marking a significant step in the probe.
Our Take: Why this ED appearance matters
This is a significant development in the Mohali land scam investigation. The questioning of a senior IAS officer signals that the ED is taking the CLU permission irregularities seriously. In our view, the focus on the 2024 tenure of Brar as Director, Town and Country Planning, suggests the agency is zeroing in on the decision-making process behind the modified permissions.
For the public, this case highlights the importance of accountability in land-use approvals. When permissions for large projects like Suntec City are granted, the process must be transparent. The ED's scrutiny of this case sends a clear message that officials responsible for approving such changes will be held to account if irregularities are found.
The outcome of this questioning could have wider implications for how CLU permissions are handled in Punjab, and it will be important to follow how the investigation progresses.
