The Aam Aadmi Party has started a protest at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office in Mohali, where the Enforcement Directorate’s search operation has continued for a second day. Large groups of AAP workers have gathered at the PUDA Bhawan to protest the ED action.
Protesters gather at PUDA Bhawan
AAP workers reached the GMADA office and began raising slogans against the ED searches. The protest comes after the party announced that it would gherao the ED teams conducting the search operation. The party has alleged that the timing of the action is linked to the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections, while the ED’s probe concerns alleged financial irregularities connected to GMADA-related land transactions and private real-estate companies.
ED searches continue
The ED has been examining records at GMADA headquarters as part of a money-laundering investigation involving Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies. The agency is reportedly scrutinising land acquisition, change-of-land-use approvals, property transactions and financial concessions. Specific findings from the ongoing searches have not been publicly disclosed by the ED.
Punjab government moves High Court
Meanwhile, the Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking intervention in the ongoing searches. The court appointed a warrant officer to monitor the search and seizure proceedings and submit a status report by 2 pm on September 24. The officer was authorised to visit the search sites at any time.
The protest marks another escalation in the political confrontation surrounding the ED’s ongoing searches in Punjab.