Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) letter to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, alleging that the central agency is being used for political purposes, Cheema also questioned why the ED had written to the Punjab Police chief and accused the Akali Dal of acting like a spokesperson for the ED.
The ED has written to DGP Gaurav Yadav seeking action against a man allegedly close to senior AAP leaders and the agency has accused him of running a network that allegedly interfered in the transfers and postings of government officials, influenced policy decisions and was involved in land transactions and arms licence approvals.
Reacting to the development, Cheema said he did not understand why the ED had written to the DGP. He alleged that the Akali Dal was speaking on behalf of the ED instead of acting as a political party, Cheema also launched a broader attack on the SAD, accusing the party of being deeply involved in corruption and referred to the period when the Akali Dal was in alliance with the BJP and alleged that the party had contributed to Punjab being “defamed” during that period.
According to Cheema, the Akali Dal had helped create the image of Punjab as “Udta Punjab”, referring to the widespread perception of drug abuse in the state and alleged that drugs entered Punjab because of the policies and actions of the previous governments.
Cheema further accused the BJP-led central government of using agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department during elections to target political opponents and also alleged that similar tactics had been used in states such as West Bengal, Bihar and Delhi, where, according to him, central agencies were sent to put pressure on and intimidate political leaders.
Cheema said such methods would not work in Punjab.
The ED’s letter, meanwhile, was prepared during an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case involving a Chandigarh-based housing society and its associates and the agency said searches were conducted between May 7 and 10 at several premises linked to the accused. Around Rs 21 lakh in cash was allegedly seized during the searches.
The agency said the allegations warranted examination under the Official Secrets Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant provisions of the IPC and it asked the DGP to register a case, citing Supreme Court directions concerning mandatory registration of FIRs.
