Big expose in Mohali: ₹18,000 crore property deals under scanner, I&CI’s mega crackdown

Chandigarh/Mohali(The Uttam Hindu): – In a stunning revelation, the Directorate of Intelligence and Criminal Investigation (I&CI), Chandigarh, has unearthed massive irregularities worth ₹18,000 crore in property transactions during a survey operation in Kharar (Mohali). The action is part of an ongoing crackdown across Punjab to curb concealment of high-value real estate deals.

How the Scam Was Detected

Officials physically matched the state registry software data with the reports filed by Tehsildars. To their shock, they discovered that several multi-crore property transactions were either not reported at all, or were filed with incomplete and incorrect details.

According to rules, every property transaction above ₹30 lakh must be reported to the Income Tax Department, along with details such as the buyer’s and seller’s names, PAN and Aadhaar numbers. But in multiple cases, PAN numbers were missing, making it impossible to verify identities or confirm whether the correct amount of tax had been paid.

Not a One-Off Action

This is not an isolated case. Similar survey operations have already been conducted in Khanna, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mohali and Fazilka. Alongside enforcement drives, the Department has also been running awareness programs and training sessions for Tehsildars to ensure proper compliance in reporting property deals.

Why This Crackdown Matters

Officials have made it clear that these enforcement actions are aimed at widening the tax base, plugging revenue leakages, and creating a fairer system for honest taxpayers. The message is loud and clear – no one trying to hide property transactions will be spared.