The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday informed a special court that Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora's firm had paid a total of Rs 27.73 crore to daily wage labourers over a specified period. The disclosure came during the hearing of a money laundering case linked to the minister.
ED's Submission in Court
The ED submitted that the payments were made by M/s Arora Distributors, a firm owned by the minister's family. The agency claimed that the transactions were legitimate and part of the company's regular business operations. However, the ED is scrutinizing these payments to ensure compliance with tax laws and to rule out any potential money laundering.
Background of the Case
The investigation against Sanjeev Arora, who holds the portfolio of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs in the Punjab government, began after allegations of disproportionate assets and suspicious transactions surfaced. The ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2022.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing, the ED counsel argued that the payments to daily wage labourers were part of the firm's payroll and were made through banking channels. The court has sought further details from the agency, including bank statements and employment records, to verify the claims. The next hearing is scheduled for March 15.
Political Reactions
The opposition parties in Punjab have seized upon the development, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of corruption. However, the ruling party has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. Sanjeev Arora has maintained his innocence, stating that all transactions are transparent and lawful.
The ED's investigation is ongoing, and further revelations are expected as the probe deepens. The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the minister involved and the substantial amount of money in question.
