States » NorthPosted at: Nov 13 2026 7:11PM


ED arrests former Punjab ADC, mining operator over Rs 367 crore illegal mining case in Pathankot

Chandigarh, Nov 13 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a former senior Punjab government official and a mining operator in connection with the alleged fraudulent transfer of nearly 92 acres of village common land along the Ravi River in Pathankot district, close to the international border with Pakistan.
The federal agency said Kuldeep Singh, a former Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development), Pathankot, and Nipun Mahajan, associated with stone-crushing and mining operations, were arrested on November 11 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
A special PMLA court in Jalandhar remanded both accused to ED custody until November 16.
According to the agency, the investigation concerns the alleged fraudulent transfer of 734 kanals and one marla of shamlat (village common) land in Pathankot to private individuals, allegedly facilitating large-scale illegal extraction of sand and other minerals from the Ravi River belt.
The ED has estimated illegal excavation involving approximately 16.70 crore cubic feet of mineral material, valued at about Rs 367.5 crore, in areas adjoining Bhattian and Gol villages, according to its November 13 statement.
The agency said historical satellite imagery showed substantial changes in the number, size and extent of excavation pits between April 2022 and November 2023. The images indicated extensive mining activity on land for which no mining lease had been granted by the Punjab government, it alleged.
"The images below show a sample machine-made excavation on land for which no mining lease had been granted by the Punjab government," the ED said in its statement, referring to satellite photographs documenting changes in the riverbed and adjoining agricultural areas.
Investigators alleged that Kuldeep Singh, who had been given additional charge as ADC (Rural Development), Pathankot, shortly before retirement, issued an order on February 27, 2023, in favour of private claimants in a long-pending land dispute.
The order was allegedly passed just one day before his retirement.
The ED said Mahajan subsequently gained possession of the transferred mineral-rich land through powers of attorney and purchase agreements executed with the accused private individuals.
The investigation originated from a first information report registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, Amritsar, over alleged irregularities in the transfer of valuable village common land.
During searches conducted at 16 premises in July 2026, investigators recovered unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 1.75 crore and froze bank accounts containing approximately Rs 91.34 lakh, according to the agency.
Investigators are also examining transactions involving stone-crushing companies and their associated operators to establish whether proceeds from alleged illegal mining were routed through commercial activities.
The location of the disputed land has added significance to the investigation because it lies along the Ravi River belt near the international border, where unauthorised mining has raised concerns about border security and the protection of sensitive infrastructure.
The agency said it was examining land transactions, mineral extraction, crusher sales and financial flows to establish the nature and extent of the suspected proceeds of crime.
"ED is continuing to examine the land transactions, mineral extraction, crusher sales and financial flows to determine the nature and extent of Proceeds of Crime," the agency said.
Further investigation is underway.
The allegations against the arrested individuals have not been established in court, and their responses to the ED's claims were not immediately available.
UNI NB CDS
Tags: #ED arrests former Punjab ADC# mining operator over Rs 367 crore illegal mining case in Pathankot
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