AAP protests across Punjab against BJP over ED action against Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora

BJP spokesperson RP Singh rebutted the AAP’s stance, saying corruption allegations against AAP leaders were not baseless and accusing Kejriwal of engaging in ‘Aurangzeb-like’ actions in Punjab. He claimed the ED raids are part of a pattern of political intimidation and criticized the state’s police for not acting against other criminal elements.

The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the ED action, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann calling the arrest a ‘political vendetta’ intended to engineer defections. Party leader Arvind Kejriwal suggested raids were part of central-government actions after the Bengal polls to pressure Punjab.

Arora was arrested at his official residence in Chandigarh shortly after ED carried out fresh raids at five locations, including the Hampton Sky Realty Limited offices. The ED registered a new case under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Attachment orders under FEMA and the Income Tax Act were issued, freezing linked assets for 180 days. Arora was to be transported to Delhi.

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at five locations, including the corporate offices of Hampton Sky Realty Limited and Arora’s official residence in Chandigarh, under the civil provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The raids are part of a probe into a ₹157.12-crore export scam involving fake invoices from non-existent firms in the Delhi-NCR region to generate artificial purchases of mobile phones.

Similar protests were reported in Ludhiana, Mohali, Barnala and other places as part of the day's broader opposition demonstrations.

In Hoshiarpur, AAP leaders alleged that the BJP was misusing central agencies, including the ED and CBI, against AAP leaders, saying the BJP is rattled by the Punjab government's work.

In Jalandhar, Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat condemned the ED action against Arora and accused the Centre of using high-handed tactics to stop Punjab's development; the party expressed support for Arora.

AAP protests were held across Punjab against the BJP in response to the ED action against Arora. Protestors burnt effigies of the BJP-led Centre, carried placards reading 'ED-BJP gathjod murdabad', and raised slogans in multiple cities including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Barnala and other places.

Hampton Sky Realty Limited, where Sanjeev Arora served as a director, said the company has faith in the legal process, is fully cooperating with statutory authorities, and will continue to do so.

The Aam Aadmi Party strongly condemned the central government, alleging that the BJP uses investigative agencies to suppress opposition when it feels politically challenged, and labeled the ED action as politically motivated against AAP leaders.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora after early-morning raids at his official residence in Chandigarh's Sector 2, in connection with a ₹100 crore GST fraud-related money laundering case involving entities linked to him. Arora was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).