Former Haryana MLA Apprehended in Multi-Crore Real Estate Fraud
Bilkul Sateek News
New Delhi/Gurugram (Paridhi Dhasmana), 8 May — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Haryana MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker in connection with a ₹1,500 crore money laundering case linked to fraudulent real estate projects in Gurugram. Chhoker, a two-time legislator from Samalkha and a member of the Indian National Congress, was apprehended late Sunday night at the Shangri-La Hotel in New Delhi after evading arrest for over a year. The arrest follows multiple non-bailable warrants issued against him by a special court in Gurugram.
Dharam Singh Chhoker, born in 1964 in Panipat, Haryana, served as an MLA from Samalkha constituency during 2019–2024. He is associated with the Mahira Group, a real estate conglomerate accused of defrauding over 3,700 homebuyers by collecting ₹616 crore for affordable housing projects in Gurugram’s Sectors 68, 103, and 104, which were never completed. Investigations revealed that funds were diverted through inflated construction expenses and bogus invoices, with money allegedly used for personal luxuries, including purchasing luxury cars and funding his daughter’s wedding.
The ED initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs filed by the Gurugram Police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and forgery. Chhoker, along with his sons Sikandar and Vikas, are accused of orchestrating the fraud through their association with the Mahira Group. Sikandar was arrested in April last year and is currently out on bail, while Vikas remains absconding. The ED has provisionally attached properties worth approximately ₹80 crore in connection with the case.
Acting on a tip-off, ED officials located Chhoker at the Grappa Bar inside the Shangri-La Hotel. Upon being approached, Chhoker attempted to flee, leading to a scuffle with ED officers. He was subdued and taken into custody after resisting arrest. CCTV footage of the incident has since circulated on social media.
Following his arrest, Chhoker was produced before the Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Gurugram, which granted the ED five days of custody for further interrogation. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend Vikas Chhoker and uncover the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct.
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