The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (November 4) searched premises linked to Amandeep Kaur Arora, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Moga and president of the party's women's wing in Punjab, along with her husband Rakesh Arora, family members and associates, officials said, Hindustan Times reported.
The searches, which began early in the morning and were still going on, covered seven premises across Punjab, including a de-addiction hospital associated with Rakesh Arora.
What the case is about
The ED recorded an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on the basis of FIR No. 101 registered by Punjab Police on June 16, 2024, ANI reported. That FIR concerns the alleged fraudulent mutation of government land acquired for National Highway 754A and the wrongful payment of compensation for it.
Officials said the searches were meant to collect evidence and trace the money trail in the case, in which the agency has already gathered digital and other material, Hindustan Times reported. They described the case as involving the alleged fraudulent acquisition of government and institutional properties and misappropriation of public funds in Moga district.
The reports do not say whether the MLA is named as an accused in the police FIR or in the ED's case, and no charges against her have been reported.
AAP's response
Punjab finance minister Harpal Cheema accused the BJP-led central government of using agencies such as the ED and the CBI during election periods. He alleged that such actions are carried out at the BJP's behest whenever elections approach in a state, ANI reported. No direct response from Ms Arora or her husband has been reported.
Why it matters
Mr Cheema linked the searches to coming elections. In the same remarks he spoke of AAP MLAs who have defected to the BJP and of reports that others may join the Shiromani Akali Dal, ANI reported. The ED has not said what its searches found.