ED attaches assets worth Rs 58 lakh of Ludhiana travel agent

New Delhi (IANS) | The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 58 lakh of Nitish Ghai, a Ludhiana-based travel agent, in a money laundering case. The attached properties are commercial properties in Ludhiana. ED officials have given this information on Friday. The ED had initiated the PMLA probe against Ghai and others on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Punjab Police at various police stations in Ludhiana district. Ghai and his associates were accused of duping the general public by luring them to provide work permit visas to foreign countries. The accused never refunded the payments made by the victims.

On verification of the FIRs registered by the police, it was found that at present 35 cases are pending or under investigation, on the basis of which the proceedings of the offense were ascertained.

The ED said that during the investigation Ghai’s bank accounts were checked, which revealed that he used to take money from common people in lieu of granting work permits abroad. Thereafter, this cash was deposited in the bank accounts operated by him, his family members and various consultancy firms run by him.

The deposited cash was used for acquisition of immovable properties in the name of him and his family members. Further investigation is on in the matter.

–IANS