New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a massive search operation at 14 locations across Haryana as a part of its investigation into a multi-crore VAT scam.

The raids are underway by ED's Chandigarh Zonal office. The raids targeted three Haryana Civil Service officers and several private individuals suspected of involvement in the scam.

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The three Haryana Civil Service officers being raided by the ED are Ashok Sukhija, Narender Kumar Ranga and Gopi Chand Chaudhary. According to sources, the search operation is aimed at unearthing evidence of money laundering and other financial irregularities linked to the scam. The ED officials are scouring the premises for documents and records related to the alleged fraud.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) scam is believed to have caused a significant financial loss to the state exchequer, with estimates suggesting a shortfall of around Rs 70 crore.

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The ED's crackdown comes after the Haryana Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and other accused in connection with the scam. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)