Gurugram: Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora was brought to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Gurugram after a sessions court granted the central agency seven days of remand in an alleged money laundering and fake export case linked to transactions worth nearly Rs 157.12 crore.
The minister was taken to the ED office under heavy security for further questioning as part of the ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
On Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Sanjeev Arora after conducting raids at multiple locations linked to him and his associates in Chandigarh, Delhi and Gurugram. ED officials had reached Arora’s government residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh early Saturday morning and carried out searches for several hours before taking him for questioning.
According to the ED, firms allegedly linked to Sanjeev Arora were involved in fake mobile purchase sales and bogus export transactions amounting to nearly Rs 157.12 crore through a network of shell companies. Investigators suspect that the alleged transactions were used for illegal round-tripping of funds from Dubai to India.
The agency has also alleged that fake GST purchase bills were procured from non-existent Delhi-based firms to fraudulently claim Input Tax Credit (ITC), GST refunds and duty drawback benefits, causing losses to the government exchequer while generating alleged personal gains.
ED sources further stated that bank accounts, demat holdings and immovable assets linked to Hampton Sky Realty Limited and entities associated with Sanjeev Arora have been provisionally attached. The attachment orders were reportedly issued under provisions of FEMA and the Income Tax Act for a period of 180 days as part of the ongoing probe.
Officials are expected to continue questioning Sanjeev Arora during the seven-day custodial remand as the investigation progresses.
However, the company linked to Sanjeev Arora has denied all the allegations. The company stated that it has not committed any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation. Meanwhile, the ED will continue detailed questioning in the case during the seven-day remand period.
