Jalandhar Contractor Amit Bajaj Among Those Under Scanner

Jalandhar, 09 June (H.S.): The Enforcement

Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out simultaneous search operations at six

locations across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and the Delhi-NCR region in connection

with an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The raids are linked to a case involving Hampton Sky Realty Ltd.

ED teams conducted searches at residential and business

premises of individuals and entities under investigation in Ludhiana and

Jalandhar in Punjab, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, and the Delhi-Noida region.

Among those searched was the residence of Municipal

Corporation contractor Amit Bajaj in New Jawahar Nagar, Jalandhar. Amit Bajaj

and his elder brother, Inderjit Bajaj, are considered prominent contractors who

have undertaken projects for municipal corporations and various government

departments in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali and several other locations,

including Gujarat. The brothers are also reportedly associated with

organisations engaged in providing outsourced manpower services.

According to sources, the Bajaj brothers have maintained

close ties with leaders of different political parties over the years. It is

also claimed that they financially supported several programmes of the Aam

Aadmi Party (AAP) and provided assistance during election campaigns. They were

often seen attending meetings with senior party leaders.

Sources further claim that even before the AAP

government came to power in Punjab, the brothers had close relations with

leaders of other political parties. Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh

Badal was reportedly known to visit their residence ahead of elections. They

were also believed to have maintained good relations with Congress leaders

during the previous regime.

Reacting to the ED action, Arvind Kejriwal said that the

agency was once again targeting Hindu traders in Punjab through its raids. He

urged traders not to panic and asserted that the Punjab Government stood firmly

with them and would support them in facing the ED's actions.

The search operations were still underway. The ED has not yet disclosed any

details regarding recoveries or specific findings from the raids. A clearer

picture of the case is expected to emerge once the investigation progresses

further.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH