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Sisodia alleges ED searches pressure Punjab before Assembly elections
Manish Sisodia of the Aam Aadmi Party criticized searches carried out by the Enforcement Directorate.
He said the searches were meant to put political pressure on Punjab before its Assembly elections.
The searches involved homes, offices and other premises in several places.
The Enforcement Directorate said it was investigating possible money laundering.
The investigation involves Tirupati Infraprojects and companies connected with it.
The agency said statutory dues worth benefits of ₹57 crore were allegedly waived.
Sisodia said officials had not clearly explained the searches and that no incriminating money or documents had been found at the locations he mentioned.
The two sides therefore gave different explanations for the same operations.
Manish Sisodia alleged that Enforcement Directorate searches in Punjab were intended to pressure the Aam Aadmi Party before Assembly elections.
The searches targeted premises in Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Panchkula and Ludhiana, according to the agency.
The Enforcement Directorate said the operations involved a money-laundering investigation linked to Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies.
The agency alleged that ₹57 crore in pecuniary benefits arose from waived statutory dues to an associated company.
Sisodia said the searches were politically motivated, while the Enforcement Directorate described them as part of its financial-irregularities investigation.
- Who
- Manish Sisodia and the Aam Aadmi Party criticized the Enforcement Directorate; the agency conducted the searches.
- What
- The Enforcement Directorate searched 26 premises as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and money laundering, while Sisodia alleged political pressure.
- Where
- The operations took place in Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Panchkula and Ludhiana, including the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority headquarters in Mohali.
- When
- The searches and Sisodia’s statements took place on Thursday; the search at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority headquarters lasted nearly 50 hours.
- Why
- The Enforcement Directorate said it was investigating alleged money laundering and financial irregularities; Sisodia alleged the searches were intended to pressure the Aam Aadmi Party before elections.
Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations
Enforcement Directorate’s stated case
Purpose of the searches
Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations
Manish Sisodia alleged that the BJP-led Central government was using the searches to exert political pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of Punjab Assembly elections.
Enforcement Directorate’s stated case
The Enforcement Directorate presented the operations as part of a money-laundering investigation into Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies.
What the searches found
Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations
Sisodia claimed that searches at the locations he referred to had not produced money or documents establishing corruption and said officials often cited “orders from above.”
Enforcement Directorate’s stated case
The agency said it examined records and electronic material and alleged financial benefits of ₹57 crore through waived statutory dues, as well as possible collusion involving senior GMADA officials.
Conduct during searches
Aam Aadmi Party’s allegations
The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that officials searched the homes of party workers, leaders, traders and government officials without adequately explaining the matter, and that a lock was broken at a residence linked to Satyendar Jain.
Enforcement Directorate’s stated case
The Enforcement Directorate described the operations as searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Key facts
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Premises searched
- 26 premises
- Locations
- Delhi, Mohali, Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana
- Investigation
- Alleged money laundering involving Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies
- Alleged benefit
- ₹57 crore through the waiver of statutory dues to an associated company
- Key site
- Greater Mohali Area Development Authority headquarters in Mohali
- Search duration
- Nearly 50 hours at the GMADA headquarters
Sources
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