Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly criticised the BJP-led central government following a fresh round of Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids linked to an alleged GST fraud and money laundering investigation involving jailed Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora. Mann accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies to intimidate Punjab's business community and alleged that traders were being unfairly targeted for political reasons.
The controversy erupted after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at multiple locations across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh as part of its ongoing probe into an alleged GST fraud estimated at around Rs 100 crore. Investigators are examining claims related to the illicit sale of mobile phones and suspected money laundering activities connected to the case.
Responding to the raids, Mann took to social media and defended Punjab's trading community, describing local Hindu traders as one of the key pillars of the state's economic growth. He stated that Punjab's businessmen have played a major role in building what is often referred to as "Rangla Punjab" and accused the central government of creating an atmosphere of fear among entrepreneurs through repeated actions by central agencies.
The Chief Minister alleged that the BJP was using investigative institutions as political tools and claimed that traders were being pressured to align themselves politically with the ruling party at the Centre. Reiterating his government's support for the business community, Mann asserted that Punjabis would not tolerate what he described as attempts to harass or intimidate traders through federal agencies.
The raids themselves formed part of a broader investigation that has already led to the arrest of Sanjeev Arora. The 62-year-old industrialist-turned-politician from Ludhiana had been one of the Aam Aadmi Party's prominent Hindu leaders in Punjab and held important portfolios, including power, industry, and commerce within the state government.
Arora was arrested by the ED last month following an extensive search operation at his official residence in Chandigarh. Since his arrest, he has remained in judicial custody while investigators continue examining financial records, business transactions, and alleged links to the suspected GST fraud network.
The latest searches were conducted at six locations spread across multiple cities. In Punjab, ED teams carried out operations in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, while additional searches took place in Bareilly and Noida in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities believe these locations may contain evidence relevant to the alleged tax fraud and money laundering activities under investigation.
Following Arora's arrest, the Punjab government removed him from his ministerial responsibilities. His departments were subsequently reassigned to other members of the state cabinet to ensure the continuity of government operations.
The political significance of the case extends beyond the legal investigation itself. Arora has been regarded as an influential figure within the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab, particularly among sections of the business community. His arrest has therefore generated considerable political debate and prompted allegations from the state government that the investigation is being used for political purposes.
The BJP, however, has consistently rejected accusations that central investigative agencies are being misused. The party maintains that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate operate independently and that investigations are conducted based on evidence rather than political considerations.
The dispute has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing confrontation between the Punjab government and the Centre. Relations between the AAP-led state administration and the BJP-led Union government have frequently been marked by disagreements over governance, law enforcement, and the role of central agencies.
As the investigation progresses, the ED is expected to continue examining financial transactions and business links associated with the alleged GST fraud. Meanwhile, the political battle surrounding the case appears likely to intensify, with both sides using the issue to reinforce their broader narratives regarding governance, accountability, and the use of investigative institutions in India.
For now, Sanjeev Arora remains in judicial custody, the money laundering probe continues, and the latest ED raids have added another layer of tension to the already contentious relationship between Punjab's state government and the central administration.
