3 hrs ago
Punjab ED Searches Trigger Court Intervention and AAP Protests
The Enforcement Directorate, or ED, searched government offices and other places in Punjab.
The searches are connected to a money-laundering investigation involving a private company.
The agency is examining land deals, property records and payments connected to GMADA.
The Punjab government went to court because it questioned how long the searches lasted and how they were conducted.
The court appointed an officer to observe the searches and report back.
Aam Aadmi Party supporters protested outside the GMADA office.
Some protesters allegedly threw stones, and police detained people during the incident.
AAP says the searches are politically motivated because Punjab’s elections are approaching.
The ED has not publicly announced what it found.
The Enforcement Directorate continued searches at GMADA offices and premises linked to senior Punjab officials.
The investigation concerns alleged money laundering involving Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies.
The Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court over the searches’ manner and duration.
The court appointed a senior warrant officer to monitor the operations and report on them.
AAP supporters protested outside GMADA, while the party called the searches politically motivated ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, the Punjab government, Aam Aadmi Party supporters, and officials linked to GMADA are involved.
- What
- The ED conducted extended searches as part of a money-laundering investigation, prompting court oversight and political protests.
- Where
- The main searches took place at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority headquarters in Mohali, with related searches in Chandigarh and elsewhere in Punjab.
- When
- The searches began Tuesday and continued through Thursday; the court hearing continued past 1 am on Wednesday night.
- Why
- The ED is examining alleged irregularities involving land acquisition, land-use changes, compensation payments and GMADA property transactions; AAP says the action is politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections.
AAP and Punjab Government
Enforcement Directorate and Centre
Purpose of the searches
AAP and Punjab Government
AAP says the ED action is politically motivated and linked to Punjab’s upcoming 2027 Assembly elections.
Enforcement Directorate and Centre
The ED is conducting a Prevention of Money Laundering Act investigation into alleged irregularities and transactions connected to GMADA properties.
Conduct and duration
AAP and Punjab Government
The Punjab government raised concerns in court about the manner and duration of the searches and the alleged detention of senior officials.
Enforcement Directorate and Centre
The ED continued examining files and questioning employees, while the court authorised a warrant officer to visit the search sites at any time.
What the searches found
AAP and Punjab Government
AAP claimed that nothing incriminating had been found despite the searches continuing for nearly three days.
Enforcement Directorate and Centre
The ED has not publicly disclosed its findings or the material seized, and has not confirmed or rejected AAP’s claim.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Main location
- Greater Mohali Area Development Authority headquarters, Mohali
- Investigation
- Money-laundering case linked to Tirupati Infraprojects Pvt Ltd and associated companies
- Records under scrutiny
- More than 5,000 acres in Mohali and New Chandigarh
- Court action
- Punjab and Haryana High Court appointed a senior-rank warrant officer to monitor searches
- Political response
- AAP alleged the searches were politically motivated and connected to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
- Protest incident
- Some AAP supporters allegedly pelted stones outside the GMADA premises
Quotes
Harpal Cheema
Punjab finance minister and AAP leader
“This is so Deja vu for us in AAP. A case was made out against the entire AAP leadership before the 2025 polls in Delhi. Now, elections are approaching in Punjab and ED is at work.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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