Cash Thrown From 9th-Floor Flat During ED Raid in Mohali, Driver Held With ₹21 Lakh

During an Enforcement Directorate (ED) operation in Punjab, a bag allegedly filled with cash was thrown from the ninth floor of a residential tower in Mohali’s Kharar area on Thursday as federal investigators carried out searches linked to an alleged multi-crore land fraud case.

According to officials and local sources, the incident occurred at Western Towers Society, where ED teams were conducting raids at the apartment of an IT businessman identified as Nitin Kumar Gohil. Authorities suspect the searches are connected to the ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities associated with the Suntech City project and misuse of Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions.

Witnesses said the bag burst open after hitting the ground, scattering bundles of currency notes across the premises and creating panic among residents. Investigators alleged that a driver waiting in a white vehicle nearby quickly picked up the cash and attempted to flee the scene. ED personnel stationed outside the society chased and detained him shortly afterward.

Preliminary estimates suggest officials recovered nearly ₹21 lakh, mostly in ₹500 denomination notes, from the spot. The seized cash is expected to be examined as part of the agency’s money trail investigation.

Sources familiar with the matter claimed investigators suspect the occupants of the apartment may have received advance information about the raid. Residents of the housing society told authorities that Gohil had shifted to flat number 906 nearly four months ago and often received a large number of courier deliveries. Locals also claimed that most of the packages were handled by his driver.

The commotion drew a large crowd inside the residential complex, prompting local police to intervene for crowd control and security assistance. Acting on instructions from Kharar DSP Ishant Singla, a police team led by SHO Amrinder Singh reached the site to support ED officials and document the incident.

Officials said the searches were part of a wider crackdown across the Mohali-Chandigarh region, where nearly a dozen locations linked to builders, developers and associated individuals were searched simultaneously. The ED is investigating allegations that several real estate entities, including ABS Township, Altus Builders and Dheer Constructions, illegally benefited through fraudulent transactions and misuse of GMADA-issued CLU licenses.

The probe is reportedly tied to complaints from investors and homebuyers who alleged financial fraud and irregularities in land development projects worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on whether any arrests will follow or whether more cash recoveries are expected. Investigators are also examining possible financial and political links connected to the accused individuals.

The investigation remains ongoing.