CHANDIGARH, May 9 — Punjab’s Industries and Investment Promotion Minister Sanjeev Arora was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday after a day-long raid at his official Chandigarh residence. The detention follows allegations of large-scale money laundering executed through fake mobile phone exports and fraudulent tax claims.
Official sources from the agency stated that the investigation uncovered transactions exceeding ₹100 crore involving fictitious companies. The Enforcement Directorate declared that these fake purchase invoices were used to claim duty drawbacks and GST refunds on simulated exports. This process allegedly allowed for the round-tripping of illicit funds from Dubai back into the Indian financial system, the agency asserted.
The arrest took place after eight vehicles carrying federal agents reached the minister’s home in Sector 2. Investigators declared that this latest action was part of a broader sweep across five locations, including the offices of Hampton Sky Realty Limited. An ED official maintained that the scheme systematically defrauded the government by obtaining tax credits for purchases that never physically occurred.
Despite the political backing from the Punjab government and AAP leadership, federal authorities affirmed that the case involves a serious breach of money laundering laws. Sanjeev Arora serves as a critical figure in the Mann administration, managing several high-profile portfolios including Local Government. The agency stated that the ongoing probe will continue to track the financial trails between the Delhi-based shell firms and foreign entities.
