Amritsar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday conducted searches at the residence of Vijay Kataruchak, a close associate of Punjab minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged land transfer scam in Pathankot district.The search was carried out at Kataruchak village along the Gurdaspur–Pathankot highway. Vijay’s residence is located adjacent to that of the minister.Vijay Kataruchak, a former Congress leader, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) shortly after Lal Chand Kataruchak was inducted into the Punjab cabinet.Sources said the ED is probing the alleged illegal transfer of nearly 90 acres of mineral-rich land in Pathankot. The transaction, reportedly executed in Feb 2023, is suspected to have caused substantial financial loss to the state exchequer.The land belongs to the panchayat of Gol village in Narot Jaimal Singh block and is estimated to be worth several hundreds of crores of rupees. Investigators allege that then additional deputy commissioner (ADC), who was also holding additional charge as district development and panchayat officer (DDPO), approved the transfer of the land to private individuals.The ED also carried out searches at the premises of two businessmen linked to the case. During the operation, officials reportedly seized documents and other material considered relevant to the investigation.Security at the search locations was provided by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Sources said local police were not involved in the operation to maintain confidentiality and prevent any potential leakage of sensitive information.
