ED Jalandhar files prosecution complaint against PB's ex cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot

In a latest development in the case of disproportionate assets being probed by Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against ex cabinet minister of Punjab, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, the agency has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against him under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on March 13th 2024, before the Special Court, PMLA, Mohali. The court has taken cognizance of the PC on March 15th 2024. Recently ED Jalandhar had provisionally attached various properties to the tune of Rs. 4.58 Crore of Dharamsot & his sons on March 13th 2024, under the provisions of PMLA 2002. The attachment includes a total of 4 immovable properties consisting of 02 residential plots, one constructed residential house and one residential flat in Punjab along with immovable/ movable properties including bank balances and investments in Mutual Funds. Notably ED initiated investigation against Dharamsot on the basis of a FIR registered by Vigilance Bureau, Punjab under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. ED investigation under the PMLA revealed that Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, during the check period from March 1st 2016 to March 31st 2022, which includes his tenure as Forest Minister in the then Government of Punjab, has acquired assets disproportionate to the known sources of income of his and his sons. During investigation conducted by ED, it was found that Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has acquired disproportionate assets through the proceeds of crime relating to the scheduled offences to the tune of Rs. 6.34 Crore.