ED Arrests Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora in Money Laundering Case

Enforcement Directorate officials arrested Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Saturday, May 9, in Chandigarh, following searches at multiple locations linked to a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The 62-year-old Aam Aadmi Party legislator from Ludhiana West, who holds portfolios including power, industries, commerce, investment promotion, and local government, was taken into custody after more than eight hours of questioning at his official residence in Chandigarh's Sector 2. Around 20 ED teams, supported by security personnel, conducted raids starting early that morning at five premises across Chandigarh, Delhi, and Gurugram's Udyog Vihar. These included Arora's residence and the office of Hampton Sky Realty Ltd., a company associated with him.

Agency officials alleged the case involves large-scale money laundering through fake GST purchases of mobile phones worth over Rs 100 crore. Investigators claimed fake bills from nonexistent Delhi firms were used to claim fraudulent input tax credit, along with GST export refunds and duty drawbacks, causing losses to the exchequer. Exports totaling Rs 157.12 crore were said to be bogus,...