The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at the GMADA headquarters in Mohali have stretched into the second day. Officials under investigation and ED sleuths are not allowed to leave the building at night. The raids began on Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, more mattresses were brought into the building. This shows that the sleuths and the officials under investigation are in for a long haul. The mattresses were brought in from a nearby gurdwara. Mini-buffet meals are being arranged by a local sweet shop owner.
ED Raids at GMADA Headquarters: What Happened on Day Two
One of the officers under investigation, Vikas Garg, Secretary, Housing, Punjab, was taken in an ED vehicle to his residence to freshen up on Wednesday afternoon. Interestingly, they allegedly left through a gate where no mediapersons were present and re-entered from the same gate, sources said.
The raids began on Tuesday morning. Most of the officials and ED sleuths were not allowed to leave at night. The addition of more mattresses in the building on Wednesday indicated that the investigation is not ending soon.
Why Mattresses and Food Are Being Arranged
The ED is conducting a long operation at the GMADA headquarters. Officials under investigation cannot leave the premises. This is why mattresses were brought in from a nearby gurdwara. A local sweet shop owner is arranging mini-buffet meals for those inside.
The movement of Vikas Garg, Secretary, Housing, Punjab, was kept away from media attention. He was taken to his residence to freshen up and brought back through a gate where no mediapersons were present.
Our Take: What This Means for the Investigation
In our view, the arrival of mattresses and the arrangement of meals signal that the ED is prepared for a prolonged operation. This is not a quick raid. The fact that officials are not allowed to leave at night shows the seriousness of the investigation.
To put it plainly, the ED is making sure that no one under investigation can leave or coordinate with others outside. The quiet movement of Vikas Garg through a gate without media presence also suggests that the agency wants to avoid attention on individual movements.
For readers, this news means that the ED raids at GMADA headquarters are far from over. The investigation is deep and the agency is taking its time. More details are likely to come out as the raids continue.