ED arrests Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in money laundering case

New Delhi: law enforcement bureau Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora was arrested on Saturday in connection with a Rs 100-crore money laundering probe over alleged fraudulent goods and services tax (GST) transactions, officials said.ALSO READ | ED raids residence of Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora in money laundering caseOfficials said Arora was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).The Punjab industries minister was detained after the education ministry conducted raids at five locations in Delhi, Gurgaon and Chandigarh, including his official residence in Chandigarh and premises associated with his colleagues and companies.Arora had also faced ED action in April, days after then AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal was raided in a similar manner. Soon after, Mittal joined the BJP along with six other members of the party’s Lok Sabha, including Raghav Chadha.ALSO READ | ‘I am happy’: Minister Sanjeev Arora rules out AAP exit after ED raidAccording to ED, Arora and entities associated with him created fake bills for the purchase of mobile phones through non-existent companies operating from Delhi. Investigators suspect the transactions were used to fraudulently claim input tax credit (ITC), goods and services tax (GST) refunds and export-related benefits.The central agency further alleged that the transaction proceeds were exported and then “round-tripped” from Dubai to India in an attempt to legitimize the illicit funds.The 62-year-old leader is an MLA from West Ludhiana and a former member of the Union House. His arrest comes less than a year before Punjab is scheduled to go to assembly polls in February 2027.AAP leaders linked the action to the upcoming elections, accusing the BJP-led Center of conducting a political hate campaign through a central probe agency.“By conducting ED raids, their aim is not to look for any black money or illegal documents. Their aim is to send a message to the raided people that if they join the BJP, everything will be forgiven,” Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwat Mann told reporters in Sangrur.ALSO READ | ‘This is Punjab and will not be intimidated by threats’: Bhagwant Mann after ED raids ministerAAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also attacked the BJP, claiming that the party will face political backlash in Punjab.“Modi, go ahead with the four ED raids – the BJP will lose all seat deposits. The leaders you arrested may be out of jail in four days, but the BJP will not be able to set foot in Punjab for the next two decades,” Kejriwal posted on X.