The North News
Chandigarh, May 8
Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Friday accused the Enforcement Directorate of trying to defame him after the agency linked his name to a money laundering investigation involving real estate projects in Punjab. Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, Arora said the federal agency had added his name to a revised statement issued after raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh a day earlier. He alleged the move was politically motivated and aimed at damaging his image ahead of elections.
The Enforcement Directorate had carried out searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with alleged irregularities linked to housing and township projects, including the Suntec City project in Mohali. The agency said businessman Gaurav Dhir, associated with Dhir Constructions, had acquired the Altus project through undervaluation and described him as a close associate of Arora.
The Punjab AAP chief said he had known Dhir for more than two decades but denied having any business relationship with him. He claimed the agency’s initial statement did not mention either his name or Dhir’s, and alleged his name was inserted later “only to defame” him.
Arora challenged the ED to summon him if it had any doubts and said he was ready to cooperate fully with any investigation, including handing over his mobile phone for forensic examination.
He also accused the BJP-led central government of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition leaders in politically important states. Questioning the agency’s conduct, Arora alleged that details of donations made by one of the raided businessmen to the BJP were omitted from the ED statement.
The minister maintained that he had never been involved in illegal activity during his political career and said “clean businessmen” were being dragged into political controversies.
