Ludhiana:- In the early hours of Friday, ED teams have simultaneously knocked on various premises including the local residence of state Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora. Under the strict supervision of central security forces, the investigation agency officials are busy searching documents inside the minister's house. According to sources, this action is being taken in connection with old cases related to alleged irregularities in financial transactions and land deals.
According to sources, ED teams searched Arora's residence, government offices and properties belonging to his business partners and family members (including his daughter) at around 6:30 am.
The scope of the investigation is not limited to Ludhiana alone, but there are reports of raids at premises in other cities related to the minister. The ED team is mainly examining financial transactions and property records.
Officials confirmed that central armed police forces were deployed to assist the ED during the searches. Notably, the Punjab Police was not involved in the operation and the central forces were handling security arrangements at the raid sites. The ED is yet to issue an official statement on the nature of the investigation or the charges against the minister.
Arora, speaking to the Tribune Group, said that he had no prior knowledge of the raids. "I have no idea about it. Teams are present at all my locations and workplaces," he said. He added that he has nothing more to say at this stage. At the time of the raids, Arora was travelling to Europe to attract foreign investment as part of the Punjab government's "Invest Punjab" initiative. Other senior officials of the state and the Chief Minister are also scheduled to travel abroad soon in connection with the same programme.
Meanwhile, reacting to the ED raid, Sanjeev Arora wrote on Twitter- "Good morning! Enforcement Directorate has taken action at my premises. As a responsible citizen, I will fully cooperate with the agencies and I am confident that truth will prevail."