Punjab, 09 May (H.S.): Punjab

Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate

(ED) in Chandigarh on Saturday after nearly ten hours of questioning in

connection with an alleged fraud case involving transactions worth 157.12

crore.

According to

sources, ED officials began questioning Arora in the morning and later

conducted searches at his residence. During the raid, investigators reportedly

seized laptops, company records, and other important documents linked to the

case.

At around 5 PM,

the ED formally arrested Arora after completing legal formalities. He was later

taken to Delhi in vehicles bearing Chandigarh and Haryana registration numbers

for further interrogation. This marks the second ED action against Arora in the

last 20 days.

According to

the ED, firms linked to Arora allegedly carried out fraudulent sales

transactions worth nearly 157.12 crore by showing fake purchases of mobile

phones and creating bogus export records. Investigators

claim that fake export transactions were routed through shell companies and

were allegedly used for the round-tripping of funds from Dubai back to India. The agency also

alleged that fake GST purchase bills were obtained from non-existent firms

based in Delhi to claim fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC), GST refunds, and

duty drawbacks.

Officials said

the alleged fraud caused significant losses to the government exchequer while

generating illegal personal gains.

The ED has also

provisionally attached bank accounts and immovable assets belonging to Hampton

Sky Realty Limited and other entities reportedly linked to Arora.

Following the arrest of Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, a major political storm erupted

in Punjab as leaders from both the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP traded sharp

allegations. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly defended Arora, saying

the party stands firmly with him. Mann alleged that the Enforcement

Directorate’s action was politically motivated and aimed solely at pressuring

Arora to join the BJP. He claimed that the alleged nexus between the ED and the

BJP would soon be exposed in Punjab. Mann also questioned why investigations

against businesses linked to Ashok Mittal

had reportedly slowed down.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Raghav Chadha launched a sharp attack on AAP,

stating that the party had promised to make Punjab “Rangla” (prosperous) but

had instead made it “Kangla” (bankrupt). He said people had voted for

governance, not corruption. He further alleged that AAP had become a shelter

for corrupt leaders.

AAP

national convener Arvind Kejriwal also

reacted, accusing the BJP of trying to destabilize the party in Punjab, while

asserting that AAP remains united.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH