ED has arrested Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Ex. Forest Minister of Punjab under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA),
Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Ex. Forest Minister of Punjab under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in relation to various irregularities committed in Forest Department, Punjab during his tenure as Forest Minister and for acquiring financial gains / proceeds of crime thereof & projecting the same as untainted in the form of various assets.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by the Vigilance Bureau, Punjab under various sections of IPC, 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in relation to various irregularities committed in the Forest Department.
ED investigation revealed that Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, the then Forest Minister in Govt. of Punjab took bribes against issuance of permit for felling of Khair trees, transfer/posting in Forest Department, issuance of NOC from Forest Department, purchase of tree guards by Forest Department, etc. It was also found that proceeds of crime were further infused in various assets & layered in various financial transactions. Accordingly, on the basis of investigation conducted under PMLA, 2002, Sadhu Singh has been arrested on 15.01.2024.
Subsequently, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has been produced before the Special Court, PMLA, Mohali, and the Hon’ble Court has granted ED custody till 19.01.2024. Further investigation is under progress.