Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora Arrested by ED After Raids

Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday after the agency conducted raids at four locations linked to him in Chandigarh and the Delhi-NCR region under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The 62-year-old AAP MLA from Ludhiana West was taken into custody from his official residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh, hours after the searches began. This marks the third time Arora has faced ED action in 2024, with previous raids occurring in April and earlier this month.

The ED's probe is part of a broader money laundering investigation involving Arora's business and political associates, officials said. Search operations were conducted at residential and commercial premises tied to Arora and related entities. The agency has not publicly detailed the specific financial transactions under scrutiny, but the case stems from an ongoing investigation into alleged illicit fund flows.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal condemned the arrest, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of weaponizing central agencies. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann echoed the sentiment, alleging that ED, CBI, and Income Tax raids intensify in non-BJP states ahead of elections. Mann cited previous cases, including that of AAP MP Ashok Mittal, claiming such actions cease when individuals join the BJP.

The political backlash underscores rising tensions between the AAP-led Punjab government and the central government. With Punjab assembly elections scheduled for next year, the arrest is expected to fuel further controversy over the use of investigative agencies in federal politics.

Arora is expected to be produced before a magistrate on Sunday for judicial remand, while the ED continues to process evidence seized during the raids. The court will hear arguments on his custody plea early next week.