The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a search at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjeev Arora in Ludhiana, Punjab, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The operation, according to officials, is linked to allegations of fraudulent land acquisition by Mr. Aroras company, involving property worth crores.Reacting to the ED raid, Sanjeev Arora expressed uncertainty regarding the reasons for the search. I am a law-abiding citizen, not sure about the reason for the search operation. I will cooperate fully with agencies and ensure all their queries are answered, he stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).Raids across multiple locationsThe EDs investigation extends beyond Aroras residence, with simultaneous raids being conducted at 17 different locations, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Delhi. Among the locations raided was the residence of realtor Hemant Sood.I am a law abiding citizen, am not sure about the reason for search operation, will cooperate fully with agencies and make sure all their queries are answered.— Sanjeev Arora (@MP_SanjeevArora) October 7, 2024AAP leaderships responseSenior AAP leader Manish Sisodia criticized the EDs action, alleging a pattern of repeated raids on AAP leaders that have yielded no results. In the last two years, the ED has raided the homes of multiple AAP leaders, including (former Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal, my house, (AAP MP) Sanjay Singhs house, and (former minister) Satyendra Jains house. Nothing was found anywhere, Sisodia posted on X in Hindi.Sisodia himself was arrested by the CBI in February 2023 over the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam and was subsequently detained by the ED on related money laundering charges. He was granted bail in August this year.EDs focus on AAP leadersIn addition to Sanjeev Arora, other prominent AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendar Jain, have faced scrutiny by the ED. While Kejriwal and Singh have been granted bail, Satyendar Jain remains in custody following his arrest in May 2022.
