The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted search operations at seven premises across Punjab in connection with an alleged government land fraud and misappropriation of public funds in Moga district.
The searches covered premises linked to AAP Moga MLA and Punjab Women’s Wing president Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora, her husband Dr Rakesh Arora, family members, associates and others. A de-addiction hospital associated with Dr Rakesh Arora was also covered in the operation.
According to the ED, the investigation concerns the alleged fraudulent acquisition of government and institutional properties and the wrongful disbursement of compensation for government land acquired for National Highway 754A.
The agency has recorded an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on an FIR registered by Punjab Police. The FIR, numbered 101, was registered on June 16, 2024.
The ED teams reached the residences of Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora in Moga around 6 am on Wednesday. The searches were conducted at her residence on Dosanjh Road and a flat on the Moga-Ludhiana Road.
According to information available, the MLA was present at one of the residences when officials arrived and was being questioned.
Security personnel were deployed around the premises as AAP supporters gathered outside and raised slogans against the central agency and the BJP.
The searches were continuing at the time of filing this report.
The ED’s latest statement said the investigation is linked to alleged fraudulent mutation of government land acquired for National Highway 754A.
Mutation refers to the process of updating land ownership details in official revenue records.
The agency is investigating allegations of wrongful disbursement of compensation in connection with the acquired land.
The searches were conducted at seven premises across Punjab as part of the investigation.
The raids come months before the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. The AAP has already renominated Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora as its candidate from the Moga constituency.
Close associates of the MLA alleged that the action was aimed at pressuring her to join the BJP or the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
Jagdev Singh, a close associate of the MLA, claimed that neither the BJP nor the Akali Dal had a strong potential candidate to contest from Moga.
Local AAP leaders also described the searches as politically motivated and alleged that the action was intended to put pressure on the party ahead of the elections.
These allegations were made by AAP leaders and associates. The ED has not stated that the searches were connected to any political pressure.
Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora’s tenure had earlier come under scrutiny following allegations of financial irregularities made by a former aide.
The MLA had rejected those allegations, describing them as a conspiracy by disgruntled elements and political opponents to damage her image.
However, the ED has not indicated whether Wednesday’s searches are connected to those earlier allegations.
The agency has not announced any arrests or disclosed further details about the findings of the searches.
The investigation into the alleged government land fraud and compensation irregularities is ongoing.
