A Punjab court on Thursday sent state minister Sanjeev Arora to seven-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to alleged illegal sand mining in the state. The ED had sought 14-day custody of the minister, but the court granted seven days.
Background of the Case
The case stems from multiple FIRs registered by the Punjab Police against Arora and others for alleged illegal sand mining and transportation. The ED registered a money laundering case based on these FIRs. The agency alleges that Arora amassed disproportionate assets through illegal mining activities.
ED's Allegations
The ED claimed that Arora, who holds the portfolio of mining and geology, was involved in a conspiracy to illegally mine sand and gravel from riverbeds in Punjab, causing huge losses to the state exchequer. The agency also alleged that the minister used his official position to shield illegal miners.
Arora was arrested by the ED on Tuesday after hours of questioning at its Chandigarh office. He was produced before a special court in Mohali on Thursday, where the ED sought his custody for interrogation. The court, after hearing arguments, remanded him to ED custody till June 14.
Defense Arguments
Senior advocate R S Cheema, representing Arora, opposed the ED's custody plea, arguing that the minister was being falsely implicated. He said Arora has been cooperating with the investigation and that the ED had not provided any evidence of his involvement in money laundering. Cheema also argued that the ED's case was based on politically motivated complaints.
Political Reactions
The arrest of Arora, a close aide of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has sparked a political row in Punjab. The opposition parties, including the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, have demanded Arora's resignation and accused the AAP government of promoting corruption. However, the ruling AAP has defended Arora, terming the ED action as a vendetta by the central government against opposition leaders.
Arora is the second minister in the Mann cabinet to face ED action. Earlier, the ED had questioned another minister, Aman Arora, in a separate case. The developments have put the AAP government on the defensive, with the party accusing the BJP-led central government of misusing central agencies to target its leaders.
Legal Proceedings
The court has directed the ED to produce Arora before it on the next date of hearing, June 14. The ED is expected to seek further custody if required. Meanwhile, Arora's family has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging his arrest.
The case has highlighted the issue of illegal sand mining in Punjab, which has been a major concern for environmentalists and local communities. The state government had earlier set up a special task force to curb illegal mining, but critics say the problem persists due to political patronage.
