ED raids premises linked to former Punjab minister Sunder Sham Arora
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in Punjab and Chandigarh involving the former Congress minister and his business associates.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh on Monday involving former Punjab minister Sunder Sham Arora, his son Prateek Arora, and their business associates, according to reports by Hindustan Times, The Tribune and The Hawk.
Officials arrived at Arora's Hoshiarpur residence around 5 am accompanied by CRPF personnel. The agency also searched premises linked to businessman Sanjeev Juneja and the Marbella Group and Gulmohar Township Group.
The searches are being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This follows the arrest of former Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) general manager Jaswinder Singh Randhawa two days ago.
Arora's counsel, HS Saini, said the team sought documents regarding the 2023 PSIEC plot allotment investigation and disproportionate assets. Saini stated that the requested records were handed over to the officials.
The probe relates to cases from the Punjab Vigilance Bureau involving alleged irregularities in PSIEC plot allotments and ownership changes. This includes the sale of 31 acres of JCT Electronics land in Mohali to a private realtor during Arora's time as minister.
Earlier this year, the Income Tax Department conducted a 62-hour search at Arora's residence. Arora has also faced a pending court case regarding allegations of attempting to bribe an official with Rs 50 lakh.