The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out extensive raids at premises linked to Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora and his associates, intensifying scrutiny of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in the state. The searches were conducted across multiple locations, including Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Gurugram, and Jalandhar, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
According to officials, the raids were carried out under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and are linked to suspected money laundering, illegal fund routing, and financial misconduct. Investigators are examining allegations that companies associated with Arora were involved in round-tripping of funds from abroad, including the UAE, and possible links to illegal betting syndicates.
The ED teams reportedly searched around a dozen locations connected to the minister, including properties linked to his family members and business associates. His son, who is associated with his real estate business, is also under the scanner as part of the probe.
Arora, a senior AAP leader and MLA from Ludhiana West, was not present during the raids as he was travelling abroad on an official visit aimed at attracting investment to Punjab. Despite his absence, central forces were deployed outside his residence and offices while the searches were underway.
In an initial response, Arora stated that he would cooperate fully with the investigating agency and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge. Meanwhile, the AAP has termed the raids politically motivated, alleging that central agencies are being misused to target opposition leaders.
The development comes just days after similar ED action against another AAP leader, Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, indicating a broader crackdown on individuals linked to the party.
Politically, the raids have triggered a fresh confrontation between the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led Centre. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the action, calling it an attack on democracy, while opposition leaders maintain that the agency is simply performing its legal duties.
This is not the first time Arora has faced scrutiny, as central agencies had previously investigated him in 2024 over alleged financial irregularities. The latest raids signal a renewed push in the probe, with further developments expected as the investigation progresses.
