English
English
English
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached properties worth nearly Rs 80 crore belonging to Malbros International Pvt Ltd in a money laundering probe linked to large-scale groundwater pollution in Ferozepur, Punjab, affecting agriculture, livestock, and public health.
Punjab firm accused of illegally discharging untreated wastewater into groundwater.
Jalandhar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets valued at Rs 79.93 crore belonging to Punjab-based Malbros International Pvt Ltd. The attached properties include land parcels, buildings, and plant and machinery. This action, carried out by the ED’s Jalandhar Zonal Office, is part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, into alleged large-scale environmental violations by the company.
The investigation follows a criminal complaint filed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, which accused Malbros International of breaching the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974. According to the complaint, the company illegally discharged untreated industrial wastewater into deep underground aquifers through a process called reverse boring. Investigators allege that the company avoided installing proper effluent treatment systems to reduce operational costs, deliberately polluting groundwater in the process.
Officials claim that untreated wastewater from Malbros International was regularly released onto open land, into drains, and even into a nearby sugar mill. These practices caused severe contamination of groundwater, leading to crop damage, deaths of cattle, and serious health problems among residents of nearby villages. The ED described the environmental damage as extensive and largely irreversible, with long-term consequences for both human health and the surrounding ecosystem.
Company warns of exit from Rs 3,700 Crore hydropower project in J&K; Know reason
The ED stated that the firm generated “proceeds of crime” by repeatedly and covertly discharging untreated effluents. By treating environmental violations as financial crimes under anti-money laundering laws, the agency emphasizes that illegal pollution can have serious monetary implications. This approach allows regulatory authorities to hold companies accountable not only for environmental damage but also for illicit financial gains derived from illegal practices.
Earlier in the year, on July 16, 2024, the ED conducted searches at six locations linked to the company and its directors under Section 17 of the PMLA. During these operations, cash totaling Rs 78.15 lakh was seized. Officials said the latest attachment of assets represents a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation, reflecting the agency’s commitment to tackling environmental violations through stringent financial and legal measures.
India’s Exports Surge, Inflation Eases: Exports Rise, Wholesale Prices Fall
The ED’s actions send a clear message to industrial units across Punjab and India that environmental negligence and illegal disposal of industrial waste will not be tolerated. Companies failing to comply with pollution control norms may face severe financial, legal, and reputational consequences. The Malbros International case also highlights the intersection of environmental protection and financial regulations, emphasizing the importance of corporate responsibility in safeguarding public health and natural resources.
