ED to investigate liquor company in Jalandhar; Case involves groundwater pollution

December 18, 2025

The Jalandhar Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate liquor company Malbros for causing pollution. A complaint has been filed in this regard at the PMLA Special Court in Jalandhar. The complaint has been filed against M/s Malbros International Private Limited, Gautam Malhotra, and others.

A letter issued by the ED states that the investigation against Malbros is being conducted for violating the rules of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. The ED letter further states that the investigation so far has revealed that the company set up one of its units in Mansurwala village, Zira block, Ferozepur district. Here, polluted water was released underground through reverse boring.

This entire operation was carried out very secretly. Not only was the groundwater polluted, but polluted water was also released onto farmers’ land. Polluted water from the company was also released near a sugar mill. Through its industrial operations, the company polluted nearby water sources as well. During this period, the company earned Rs. 80 crore from its operations.

ED had previously raided 6 locations of the company

Earlier, on July 16, 2024, the ED had raided six locations of the company in connection with this case. During the search, Rs. 78.15 lakh in cash was seized from the premises of Malbros International Private Limited and its directors. This action was also taken under Section 17 of the PMLA. The ED has clarified that further investigation in this matter is ongoing.

Punjab government had submitted an affidavit to the NGT a month ago

The Punjab government had submitted an affidavit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the Malbros liquor company in Zira, Ferozepur district. The Punjab government acknowledged for the first time that the Zira distillery was causing pollution and that permanently shutting down the factory was the only way to stop the pollution. PAC members declared their struggle a victory.

Members of the Zira Sanjha Morcha and the Public Action Committee (PAC) described the affidavit submitted to the NGT as a victory for their struggle. They said that the affidavit, filed by the government after three years, contains several important and strong statements that confirm the issues raised by local organizations such as the Zira Sanjha Morcha and the Public Action Committee (PAC). These groups had been protesting against this unit for a long time.