ED searches at various places linked to liquor, ethanol firm over environmental violations
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at seven premises linked to Malbros International Private Limited in Punjab, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The liquor manufacturing unit, owned by the Malhotra family, is accused of causing environmental damage and groundwater pollution in Ferozepur, affecting nearby villages. The Central Pollution Control Board found toxic elements in water samples, leading to a criminal complaint and closure announcement by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. The matter is under investigation in various courts, including the National Green Tribunal.
BATHINDA: Owing to matters having been raised in parliament about causing injury to surrounding environment and groundwater pollution, the enforcement directorate (ED) carried out a search operation in relation to a money laundering case related to environmental crime at the places associated with Malbros International Private Limited on Tuesday. The searches were made under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The searches by ED under environmental offences are that common.
Searches were being carried out at seven premises in Punjab, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh linked to the liquor manufacturing and ethanol unit, which is owned and controlled by Deep Malhotra, Gautam Malhotra and family and is a part of Oasis Group of Companies. Incidentally Malhotras have stakes in liquor business in Delhi as well and Gautam Malhotra was booked in Delhi. Deep Malhotra had remained MLA from Shiromani Akali Dal.
The industrial unit is accused of contaminating soil and groundwater in and around its factory at Tehsil Zira, District Ferozepur by dumping industrial effluents and discharging the same into earth by method of bore-wells. It caused groundwater/water pollution in villages up to 4km periphery of the manufacturing unit.
The issue was also raised in Parliament during the zero hour subsequent to which Central Pollution Control Board along with Central Ground Water Board conducted field visits at the industrial unit. The inspection report revealed violation of environmental norms by the factory on multiple grounds.
The CPCB had found that water from 29 borewells near the unit was unfit for drinking, with several samples exhibiting unpleasant discolouration, and hazardous levels of toxic elements such as cyanide, arsenic, and lead. The report also highlighted severe contamination in groundwater affecting various villages. The concentration of chromium, iron, manganese, nickel and lead were found to be higher by various times against the permissible limits at some places.
Going by it, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced to close down the industrial unit.
Punjab pollution control Board had lodged a criminal complaint against Malbros for violating various provisions of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Offence under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 are scheduled offence under PMLA, 2002 and ED has taken up investigation under PMLA. The matter is under investigations at the court of CJM, Ferozepur while the matter is pending in Punjab and Haryana high court and the National Green Tribunal, where the next hearing is fixed two days later on July 18.
The prolonged are going on for the last two years by the residents of the nearby villages against the industrial unit for contaminating soil and ground water of nearby areas by dumping industrial effluents.
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