Chandigarh: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday morning launched coordinated raids at several locations connected to a prominent real estate group across Punjab and Chandigarh, including properties in Sector 20, as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged land fraud case linked to New Chandigarh.
Sources said the search operations began around 7 am and are currently focused on premises associated with real estate businessman Praveen Council, also known as Rocky. Officials are reportedly examining financial records and property-related documents during the ongoing action.
Praveen Council is associated with the Zirakpur-based housing project Chandigarh Royal City and has been under scrutiny over allegations of irregularities in a land transaction involving a prime property in New Chandigarh.
According to investigation details, the case originated from a complaint filed by his former business associate Pyarelal Garg. Based on the complaint, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered a case against Praveen Council last year under Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC related to cheating and criminal conspiracy.
Investigators alleged that the ownership records of a high-value plot were manipulated through a conspiracy involving multiple individuals, resulting in financial losses to the complainant. The Vigilance Bureau had reportedly reopened the matter in 2025 after earlier complaints filed in 2023 did not lead to immediate action.
Praveen Council is also said to share close ties with former Akali Dal minister Sikandar Singh Maluka, though no allegations have been officially made against the senior political leader in connection with the present investigation.
Officials have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the outcome of the raids, and the searches were continuing at the time of reporting.
