Punjab News: Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian has alleged that Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials put pressure on his family to leave the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and join some other party. Mundian made this allegation after ED search at the Ludhiana house of his nephew Gurpreet Singh Saini alias Prince.
ED searched nephew's house
According to reports, ED had searched the house of Gurpreet Singh Saini in Sahnewal on Wednesday. This action was taken as part of the investigation into a money laundering case related to Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The agency is investigating land acquisition, Change in Land Use (CLU) and other transactions related to GMADA. The financial transactions of Gurpreet Singh Saini are also said to be under investigation.
'Family was told that I should leave AAP'
During the press conference in Chandigarh, Mundian claimed that during the searches, ED officials asked his family members to ask him to leave AAP and join another party. He alleged that the officials also told the family that AAP was not the right party and asked his nephew why he was associated with them. All these allegations have been made by Mundiya.
Mundian also claimed that the women and children of his family were harassed during the searches. He said that the family had asked for a written record of the recovery after the search and according to him the officers recorded in the document that nothing was found except old household items. These claims have not been independently confirmed in reports.
'I am in Chandigarh, not in America'
The minister also reacted to the claim made by BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu about Mundian going abroad amid the matter. Mundian said in the press conference that he is present in Chandigarh and not in America. He took a jibe at Bittu and said that perhaps he was booking tickets to America for the leaders of Punjab.
ED investigation continues
ED is continuing the search and investigation in GMADA related cases. According to reports, the agency is probing land deals, CLU approvals and related financial transactions. At the same time, Mundian has accused political pressure regarding ED's action.