Officials of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) have initiated strong legal action against a property developer accused of illegally selling residential plots earmarked for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). An FIR has been formally registered following a complaint by the GLADA chief administrator.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The complaint, which led to the police case, was filed not once, but twice by the GLADA chief administrator. The official lodged the first complaint on February 10, 2025, and followed it up with a second filing on August 1, 2025. The case centres around a developer operating in the Sangowal area.
According to the allegations, the developer violated clear government instructions that mandate a certain number of plots be reserved exclusively for buyers from the EWS category. Instead of offering these plots to eligible beneficiaries, the accused is alleged to have sold them to his immediate family members—specifically, his wife and daughter. This act effectively diverted crucial affordable housing resources meant for the underprivileged.
Broader Legal and Administrative Action
Beyond the criminal FIR, GLADA has also escalated the matter through administrative channels. The authority has filed a formal appeal against the developer's licence before the appellate authority, which is the Director of Town and Country Planning. This dual-pronged approach indicates a serious effort to hold the promoter accountable both criminally and professionally.
This incident is not an isolated move by GLADA. For the past several months, the development authority has been actively taking action against various developers for a range of violations. As part of a sustained drive, GLADA is conducting regular inspections and operations to identify and curb the proliferation of illegal colonies mushrooming in and around the Ludhiana region.
Crackdown on Illegal Real Estate Practices
The FIR in the Sangowal case is a prominent example of GLADA's intensified vigilance. The authority's ongoing campaigns aim to bring transparency and legality to the real estate sector, ensuring that housing schemes, especially those designed for vulnerable sections like the EWS, are implemented as per the rules. The action sends a clear warning to other developers who might be flouting reservation norms or engaging in unauthorized construction and land sales.
The consistent drives underscore a commitment to protecting the interests of homebuyers and ensuring that urban development in the Greater Ludhiana area proceeds in a planned and lawful manner.
