Chandigarh | The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh as part of a money laundering investigation against certain builders and real estate companies in an alleged land fraud case, officials said.

They said about a dozen locations in Mohali and Chandigarh linked to Suntec City project, Ajay Sehgal, ABS Townships, Altus Builders, Dhir Constructions and associates are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

A person named Nitin Gohal is also being searched by the agency and he is alleged to have "helped" builders who "defaulted" in payment of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) fees and arranging political protection for them, ED officials said.

Officials identified Gohal to be linked to Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The accused have been charged with fraud in obtaining CLU (change of land use) licences from GMADA and subsequently cheating public. They are alleged to have collected funds worth crores of rupees from the investors, the officials said.

In Kharar in Mohali, two bags stuffed with cash in denomination of Rs 500 could be seen lying on the ground, indicating that they were thrown from the a flat in a residential society following a ED raid, sources said.

A few bundles of cash could also be seen scattered on the ground of the residential society, the sources said.

A video of bags containing cash lying on the ground went viral on social media.

The sources said a raid operation was carried out at the flat located in Western Towers in Kharar by the sleuths of the ED.

However, it was not clear if the bags stuffed with cash were connected with the ED raids in Punjab in connection with its action in alleged land fraud case.

There was no confirmation from the ED about the cash bags being thrown from the flat in Kharar.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia posted on X about the two cash bags.

"Crores of Money, 500 notes flying in Air. Money Belongs to whom--- OSD CM Mann Rajbir' Singh. 'Kattar Fraudsters' in ED trap. ED raids on CM Bhagwant Mann's close aide OSD Rajbir' Ghumman's close aides and relatives Nitin, Veer davinder," Majithia said in Punjabi.

"ED raids Mohali high-rise linked to CM Mann's aide; Rs 500 notes fly around after bags thrown from 9th floor. Crores of money is thrown out of 9th floor, Crores of money is flying in Air after ED raid on CM Mann's close aide's relatives. Hawala transactions unearthed. Major expose would land soon," he added