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GMADA Officials Deny Illegal Detention to HC Warrant Officer During ED Search
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News18•24-09-2026, 22:30
GMADA Officials Deny Illegal Detention to HC Warrant Officer During ED Search
- •The Punjab government withdrew its plea regarding the alleged illegal detention of senior GMADA officials after a High Court-appointed warrant officer reported that the officials denied being illegally detained.
- •The habeas corpus petition was withdrawn after the Enforcement Directorate's search operation concluded and the officials were released.
- •The state government had alleged that officials, including Vikas Garg and Sandeep Rishi, were confined at the GMADA headquarters since September 22 during an ED operation.
- •The warrant officer's report stated that officials confirmed they were not illegally detained, faced no undue pressure, and were allowed to communicate with family.
- •ED officials informed the warrant officer that the officers' presence was required for forensic data extraction from electronic devices, a process that takes time.
Key Questions Answered
The Punjab government withdrew its plea after a high court-appointed warrant officer reported that senior GMADA officials stated they were not being detained illegally and that the ED's search operation had concluded.
The warrant officer spoke with officials including IAS officer Sandeep Rishi and found they were not illegally confined, were allowed to talk to family, could receive food, and were only staying because their presence was needed while electronic data was cloned.
The ED was conducting search-and-survey operations as part of a money-laundering and corruption investigation involving land auctions, waivers of development charges, and real estate dealings.
