NEW DELHI: As further action in a money laundering probe, Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth over Rs 3,400 crore linked to Pearl Agro Corporation Ltd (PACL) and its promoter Nirmal Singh Bhangoo in Ludhiana. The latter had allegedly collected over Rs 48,000 crore from investors through a multi-level marketing scheme and laundered the proceeds to buy properties in India and overseas. The total attachment in the case now exceeds Rs 5,600 crore, including some properties in Australia.”Investigation revealed that part of the funds mobilised from lakhs of investors were utilised for the acquisition of these 169 properties, currently valued at Rs 3,436.56 crore, in the name of PACL,” ED said on Thursday. The agency has filed three chargesheets in the case so far.Earlier in March, ED had arrested Bhangoo’s son-in-law Harsatinder Pal Singh, who was allegedly behind laundering the proceeds of crime and buying properties worth over Rs 460 crore in Australia, later attached by ED. ED’s probe is based on an FIR registered by CBI against PACL, Nirmal Singh Bhangoo and others for their alleged involvement in fraudulent investment schemes.Last year, ED had initiated restitution proceedings to return their lost money to nearly six crore investors. ED had then said it has shared details of Rs 700 crore worth of attached assets of Pearl Agro group with Justice Lodha committee, the panel appointed by SC to administer the disposal of confiscated assets in the case & restitution of funds to the victims.The Security and Exchange Board of India had earlier banned the Pearl group for “illegally collecting Rs 49,100 crore from 59 million investors over 18 years”.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Abrupt Variation In Chenab River Flow’: Pakistan Cries Over Indus Water Treaty Suspension’Asking Since June…’: Priyanka Gandhi, Nitin Gadkari Share ‘Appointment’ Banter In Lok Sabha’Possibilities For Expansion’: Argentinian Envoy On Trade Partnership With IndiaCM Mamata Banerjee Renames West Bengal’s Job Guarantee Scheme ‘Karmashree’ After Mahatma GandhiNitish Kumar’s Hijab Shocker: BJP MP Giriraj Singh Defends Bihar CM’s Act With ‘Go To Hell’ RemarkIndia Flags Pakistan Role In Bangladesh Protests, Backs Awami League Demand For Free & Fair PollsIndia’s Silent Exodus: Over Two Lakh Indian Citizens Quit Passports Yearly Amid Changing AspirationsApache AH-64e And Prachand Give India A Two-Front Air Strike Edge From Deserts To High HimalayasLok Sabha Passes Viksit Bharat G Ram G Bill Amid Protests, Opposition Tears Copies Over Gandhi Name‘Worst Is Behind Us’: IndiGo CEO Says Airline Back on Track After Operational Crisis123PhotostoriesBreaking the link between smoking and lung cancer: Support for prevention and pain reliefKareena Kapoor Khan proves red is the only colour you need this ChristmasTop 8 dry fruits to boost immunity during the cold winter monthsJyotika’s unforgettable Bollywood moments from Doli Saja Ke Rakhna to ShaitaanDry mouth that won’t go away? Doctor explains if it is dehydration or something elseWinter’s hidden heart hazard: Why cold snaps spike attacksHealthy and delicious snacks under 100 calories for midnight munching8 insanely beautiful Indian destinations to cover before the year ends5 yoga asanas that can help control uric acid naturally6 reasons to eat ripe papaya daily for breakfast123Hot PicksTrump Gold CardUAE WeatherIndia Oman TradeGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingPuka Nacua InjuryAnthony Richardson InjuryJosh Allen Car CollectionKobe BryantJayson TatumCam SkatteboPuka NacuaVictor WembanyamaNHL Trade RumorsMike Liaory
NEW DELHI: As further action in a money laundering probe, Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth over Rs 3,400 crore linked to Pearl Agro Corporation Ltd (PACL) and its promoter Nirmal Singh Bhangoo in Ludhiana. The latter had allegedly collected over Rs 48,000 crore from investors through a multi-level marketing scheme and laundered the proceeds to buy properties in India and overseas. The total attachment in the case now exceeds Rs 5,600 crore, including some properties in Australia.“Investigation revealed that part of the funds mobilised from lakhs of investors were utilised for the acquisition of these 169 properties, currently valued at Rs 3,436.56 crore, in the name of PACL,” ED said on Thursday. The agency has filed three chargesheets in the case so far.Earlier in March, ED had arrested Bhangoo’s son-in-law Harsatinder Pal Singh, who was allegedly behind laundering the proceeds of crime and buying properties worth over Rs 460 crore in Australia, later attached by ED. ED’s probe is based on an FIR registered by CBI against PACL, Nirmal Singh Bhangoo and others for their alleged involvement in fraudulent investment schemes.Last year, ED had initiated restitution proceedings to return their lost money to nearly six crore investors. ED had then said it has shared details of Rs 700 crore worth of attached assets of Pearl Agro group with Justice Lodha committee, the panel appointed by SC to administer the disposal of confiscated assets in the case & restitution of funds to the victims.The Security and Exchange Board of India had earlier banned the Pearl group for “illegally collecting Rs 49,100 crore from 59 million investors over 18 years”.