Probe Agency Raids Punjab Minister's Premises, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Condemns BJP Tactics The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at four locations linked to Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora on Saturday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The raids, which took place in Chandigarh and the Delhi-NCR region, included Arora’s official ministerial residence. Officials confirmed the ED targeted Arora and his associated entities, with one location being his official residence. This follows an earlier raid on April 17, when the ED had searched Arora’s linked entities under the civil provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Arora, a 62-year-old Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA representing Ludhiana West, has been a prominent figure in Punjab’s political landscape. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the BJP during a press conference, accusing the party of misusing central agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department as tools for political targeting. Mann claimed states heading into elections often see increased activity by such agencies, and said Punjab has now become the BJP’s latest focus. He stated, “For a long time, they have been using them for their politics. Be it Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal. Now, Punjab is on their target.” Mann also referenced AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, alleging that raids at Mittal’s residence and university ceased after he joined the BJP. Mann further accused the BJP of leveraging these raids to pressure leaders into joining the party, claiming that the real intent behind the ED operations is to threaten businesses and reputations. He noted the ED’s raid at Arora’s residence marked the third such action in a year and the second this month.#aam_aadmi_party #enforcement_directorate #bhagwant_mann #sanjeev_arora #punjab_power_minister
