ED Links Punjab AAP Chief to Land Scam in Recent Raids

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made significant allegations against Aman Arora, the Punjab chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a state minister, associating him with an ongoing land scam and money laundering investigation. This revelation emerged following extensive searches conducted by the agency at multiple sites in Chandigarh and Mohali, all linked to the controversial case.

According to reports, the ED identified Gaurav Dhir, associated with Dhir Constructions, as a “close associate” of Arora. The agency’s statement asserts that these premises were scrutinized as part of a broader investigation into the unauthorized Change of Land Use (CLU) permissions obtained by certain real estate firms.

During the raids, properties related to the Suntec City project, developed by the Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society, were targeted. The ED also investigated locations tied to Ajay Sehgal, the promoter of this project, along with other firms like ABS Townships and Altus Space Builders. The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which enables the agency to probe financial irregularities and money laundering activities.

In its findings, the ED alleged that Dhir, through his company Suncity Projects, acquired a project from Altus Space Builders for an amount of Rs 130 crore. However, the agency claims that this transaction was undervalued by over Rs 170 crore, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the deal and its implications for money laundering. In addition, the ED has pointed out the involvement of two individuals, Nitin Gohal and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa, who are said to have acted as middlemen to secure political favors and support for these dubious transactions.

This ongoing investigation has garnered widespread attention, given the political affiliations of those implicated. The AAP, which has positioned itself as an anti-corruption party in Punjab, faces scrutiny as these allegations come to light. Arora’s association with a figure under investigation could impact the party’s credibility and the trust it has cultivated among voters. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the AAP will respond to these serious accusations and what further actions the ED will take in this high-profile case.

Source: scroll.in