There was a big upheaval in the politics of Punjab on Saturday (May 9) when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjeev Arora in the case of alleged money laundering and fake GST purchase bill of more than Rs 100 crore. Before the arrest, ED conducted long raids for about 6 to 7 hours at several places including the minister’s official residence in Chandigarh.
According to the information, at around 7 in the morning the ED team reached the government house located in Sector-2, Chandigarh with a convoy of about 20 vehicles. During the action the entire area was taken under security cordon. CIA, CISF and Special Forces personnel were also deployed on the spot. During this period, the investigating agency scrutinized documents, electronic devices and financial records.
According to sources, this action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED conducted simultaneous search operations at a total of 4 to 5 locations including Chandigarh, Delhi and Gurugram. These are also said to include the offices of companies associated with the minister and Hampton Sky Realty Limited.
The investigating agency suspects that fake GST purchases worth more than Rs 100 crore were shown through networks linked to the mobile phone business. It is alleged that Input Tax Credit (ITC) was taken by preparing fake bills in the name of many non-existent companies and later the amount was brought back from Dubai to India through the export process. ED is now conducting a detailed investigation into the alleged money trail and financial transactions.
It is being told that this is the third ED raid on the premises associated with Sanjeev Arora in the last one year, while within a month the agency has reached his locations for the second time. Recently, ED has also been active in many cases related to builder and business networks in Punjab. The search operation that lasted for about 40 hours in the Western Tower of Mohali is also believed to be related to this investigation.
After the action, allegations and counter-allegations have intensified in Punjab politics. Taking aim at the central government and the BJP, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed on social media platform He alleged that BJP and ED are together trying to intimidate opposition leaders.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also described the action as a “political conspiracy”. He said that BJP tries to influence the political atmosphere in election states by using investigation agencies.
On the other hand, Bikram Singh Majethia welcomed the ED action. “Everyone will be caught,” he wrote on social media. Majithia alleged that large scale financial irregularities have taken place in Punjab and the investigation may reveal many important revelations.
At present, preparations are being made by the ED for further interrogation and possible remand after the arrest. At the same time, Aam Aadmi Party is terming this entire matter as political vendetta. In the coming days, this matter can become a bigger controversy in Punjab politics.
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