New Delhi: The ongoing friction between the AAP-led Punjab government and the Central government hit a new high on Saturday morning as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids against Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora. The searches are part of a freshly initiated money laundering investigation involving the minister and several of his close associates.
ED teams reached Arora’s official residence in Chandigarh’s Sector 2 around 7 am and began to search the operations shortly after 7:25 am. Three dozen CIA and Special Forces personnel were already deployed in the area for security purposes as the officials arrived. Not just his Chandigarh residence, the searches were also conducted in Delhi and at Hampton Sky Realty Ltd in Gurugram’s Udyog Nagar.
ED probes alleged Rs 100 crore fake GST scam
The ED alleged that the fresh probe is related to the fake GST purchases of mobile phones worth more than Rs 100 crore and using subsequent exports to “round-trip” dirty money, effectively moving illicit funds from Dubai back into India. To facilitate this, the suspects allegedly acquired fabricated GST purchase invoices from shell companies based in Delhi, allowing them to claim fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) and siphon off state funds.
It came less than a month after the ED searched Arora and linked the entities on April 17 under the Foreign Management Exchange Act (FEMA).
AAP leader’s reaction to raids
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “The end of this unethical alliance of ED-BJP will begin from Punjab.” In a statement AAP supreme leader Arvind Kejriwal said, “Modi ji has got daily ED raids started in Punjab soon after the Bengal polls concluded.”
Not just that, the former Chief Minister added, “Punjab, taking inspiration from the sacrifices of Sikh Gurus, will face Modi ji’s torture and save the whole country from it.”
The ED action over the recent few weeks have intensified in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. The AAP has repeatedly described the actions in Punjab as a politically targeted move by the BJP government.
-
CTET September 2026 Notification Out: CBSE Opens Registration Window, Check Exam Dates & Schedule
-
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Players Receive Warm & Heritage Welcome In Raipur As They Defeat Mumbai Indians In Nail-Biting Thriller
-
Perplexity’s Personal Computer App Now Available For Mac Users
-
HBSE Class 10 Result 2026 Likely On May 16-17 At bseh.org.in; Check More Details Here
-
HBSE To Announce Haryana Board Class 12 Result On May 14; Here's How To Access Results
