Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Punjab Withdraws Detention Plea After GMADA ED Search Ends
Punjab’s government said some officials might have been kept at their office against their will during an Enforcement Directorate search.
The High Court sent a warrant officer to check what was happening.
The officer spoke with the officials during the night.
The officials said they were not being held illegally or forced to sign anything.
They said they could speak with family members and receive food.
Some were also allowed to meet relatives or briefly visit home.
The Enforcement Directorate said the officials needed to stay nearby while electronic records were copied.
After the search ended, Punjab withdrew its court case.
Punjab withdrew its habeas corpus petition alleging senior GMADA officials were illegally detained during an Enforcement Directorate operation.
A High Court-appointed warrant officer reported that the officials said they were not illegally detained or pressured.
The officials said they could contact family members, receive food, and in some cases meet relatives or briefly leave.
The Enforcement Directorate said the officials remained present while electronic data was downloaded, copied, or cloned.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed withdrawal of the petition and ordered the state to pay the warrant officer Rs 55,000.
- Who
- The Punjab government, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority officials, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court were involved.
- What
- The government withdrew a petition alleging that senior GMADA officials had been illegally detained during an ED search operation.
- When
- The petition was withdrawn on Thursday, September 24, after the search operation concluded.
- Where
- The events took place mainly at the GMADA headquarters in PUDA Bhawan, Sector 62, Mohali.
- Why
- The ED said the officials’ presence was needed while forensic teams downloaded, copied, and cloned records and electronic information.
Punjab Government’s Allegation
ED Officials’ Account
Whether officials were illegally detained
Punjab Government’s Allegation
The Punjab government alleged that senior GMADA officials were confined at the headquarters during the ED operation and sought their immediate release.
ED Officials’ Account
The officials told the warrant officer that they were not detained illegally, were not pressured, and could communicate with family members.
Why officials remained at the premises
Punjab Government’s Allegation
The state’s petition treated the officials’ continued presence at the GMADA office as possible unlawful confinement.
ED Officials’ Account
The ED said their presence was needed while electronic documents and information were downloaded, copied, or cloned in their presence.
Access to family and movement
Punjab Government’s Allegation
The government sought court intervention to address the officials’ alleged confinement.
ED Officials’ Account
The officials reported that they could receive food, speak with family members, meet relatives, and that Vikas Garg was allowed to visit his house for about two hours.
- Investigation agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Location
- GMADA headquarters, PUDA Bhawan, Sector 62, Mohali
- Search period
- Operations began Tuesday and concluded Thursday afternoon
- Warrant officer
- Punjab and Haryana High Court Registrar (Admin-II) Rajan Nanda
- Officials named
- Vikas Garg, Sandeep Rishi, Aman Gupta, and Rohit Jindal
- Court outcome
- The petition was withdrawn after the alleged detainees were set free
- Warrant officer fee
- Rs 55,000, to be deposited by the Punjab government