LUDHIANA: In the case against Bhupinder Singh Honey, nephew of former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed the chargesheet in a Jalandhar court on Friday. The agency has also named Honey's close ally Kudratdeep Singh, against whom Punjab police in 2018 had registered FIR for indulging into illegal sand mining, in the chargesheet.
The case will be heard on Wednesday. In coming days names of more accused are likely to be added in this high profile case as ED's investigation has picked up pace, sources said.
In March 2018, an FIR was registered against Kudratdeep and others at Rahon police station under sections 379, 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 21(1) and 4(1) of Mines and Minerals (Regulation of Development) Act, 1957. Based upon the FIR, ED initiated money laundering investigating in the case and on November 30, 2021 ED registered an 'Enforcement Case Information Report' (ECIR).
ED investigation was initiated against the mine owners and their associates to gather the details of their other businesses and their properties. The central agency found out that Honey and his friend Sandeep Kumar were directors in the companies using which Kudratdeep was believed to have laundered the money made through illegal sand mining.
On January 18, ED raided properties belonging to Honey, Kudratdeep and Kumar located in Ludhiana, Mohali, Pathankot and other places. During the raids Rs 10 crore cash, gold, costly watch and several incriminating documents were found.
On February 3, Honey during his appearance at ED's Jalandhar office was arrested by officials for being evasive in his replies and not cooperating. Honey is now lodged in Kapurthala jail where ED sleuths questioned him last month after getting permission from the court.
