Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora Arrested in Money Laundering Probe

Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday in connection with a Rs 100 crore money laundering investigation linked to alleged fraudulent Goods and Services Tax (GST) transactions. The arrest came after a day-long search operation was carried out across multiple locations associated with Arora and his business entities.

Hampton Sky Realty Limited, a firm linked to Arora, issued an official statement refuting the ED's charges and asserting that it has full faith in the judiciary and the legal process. The company stated that it entered the mobile phone export business in May 2023 in line with the Government of India's 'Make in India' initiative and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The company claimed that its export operations were legitimate, exporting 44,471 genuine mobile phones and accessories, including Apple iPhones, AirPods, Samsung, and OnePlus devices, with all exports undergoing Customs and OEM verification.

Rejecting allegations of fake exports and round-tripping, the company maintained that all export proceeds were received through banking channels and payments to suppliers were made through banking systems. The company described itself as a 'victim in a GST fraud case' and stated that it had filed an FIR in the matter.

The ED's investigation is ongoing, with the agency conducting searches at multiple locations associated with Arora and his business entities. The company has stated that it is cooperating with all investigating agencies and will present all documents and records before the appropriate legal forums. The next steps in the case are expected to involve further investigation and potential court proceedings.