Punjab politics plunged deeper into controversy on Saturday after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Punjab Power Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjeev Arora following raids conducted at multiple locations linked to him in Chandigarh and the Delhi-NCR region.
According to officials, the ED carried out searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at four premises associated with Arora and his entities. The federal agency later arrested the 62-year-old minister from his official residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh.
Sanjeev Arora is the AAP MLA from Ludhiana West and currently serves as Punjab’s Power Minister. Sources familiar with the investigation said the raids were linked to allegations involving fake GST invoices, suspected financial irregularities, and money laundering transactions reportedly worth nearly ₹100 crore. Investigators are also examining alleged connections involving shell companies, land transactions and financial routing.
The arrest came just hours after ED teams began coordinated searches earlier in the day. Officials reportedly seized documents, digital records and financial data during the operation, though the agency has not yet publicly disclosed details regarding the evidence collected.
The development triggered immediate political backlash from the Aam Aadmi Party leadership. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the arrest and accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing investigative agencies to weaken opposition parties. Kejriwal alleged that central agencies were being used selectively against political opponents ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also criticised the ED action, saying Punjab would not be intimidated by “pressure politics.” Senior AAP leaders claimed the arrest was politically motivated and part of a broader campaign targeting opposition governments across the country.
The latest action follows earlier ED searches conducted in April at premises linked to Arora. Those investigations reportedly focused on alleged illegal land dealings, misuse of industrial land and suspected foreign exchange violations.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the agency’s action and maintained that investigative bodies were carrying out their duties according to law. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the case had exposed “serious irregularities” and accused the ruling party of attempting to politicise anti-corruption investigations.
As of Saturday night, the ED had not released a detailed official statement explaining the exact charges leading to Arora’s arrest or whether additional arrests were expected in the case. Officials indicated that further questioning and financial scrutiny would continue in the coming days.
The arrest marks one of the most high-profile actions against a sitting Punjab minister since the AAP government came to power in the state.