The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday continued its searches for a second day at the residence and office of Jalandhar-based businessman Amit Bajaj, a contractor associated with municipal projects and considered close to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Bajaj is involved in works for the Jalandhar municipal corporation and other government projects.
Money Laundering Probe
The searches are part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to Hampton Sky Realty Ltd, a company allegedly connected to former Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora and members of his family. Arora was arrested by the ED last month. ED sources confirmed that searches were conducted at six locations across Ludhiana and Jalandhar in Punjab, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, and the Delhi-Noida region under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The premises searched included residences and business establishments linked to persons and entities under investigation.
Political Reactions
The political controversy triggered by the raids continued, with the AAP alleging that central agencies were targeting Punjab's traders. In response, the BJP accused the incumbent party of attempting to communalise the issue. Former Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma, referring to remarks made by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, posted on social media: "Do not ignite a fire you are incapable of extinguishing. Stop this filthy politics of dividing Punjab in the name of religion. Punjab follows the divine teaching given by the revered Gurus: recognise all humankind as one."
The ED's action underscores the ongoing crackdown on alleged financial irregularities involving political figures and their associates in Punjab.
