Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday accused the BJP led Central government of misusing central investigative agencies ahead of the state Assembly elections, as the Enforcement Directorate continued searches at multiple locations linked to a money laundering investigation.
Addressing a press conference, Cheema alleged that agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department were being used against opposition ruled states when elections approach.
“In whichever state an assembly election is due, a flying squad of the Bharatiya Janata Party arrives there first,” Cheema alleged, claiming that different central agencies were being sent to create “fear and intimidation”.
The ED began searches on Tuesday at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office and premises linked to Punjab government officials and a Delhi based real estate company. The investigation involves Tirupati Infraprojects and associated companies and is examining alleged irregularities relating to land acquisition, changes in land use and transactions involving GMADA and private developers.
Cheema Calls ED Action ‘Intimidation’
Cheema also criticised the search of a Chandigarh government bungalow where former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain often stays.
ED officials entered the Sector 39 property after reportedly breaking open the locks on Wednesday. Jain was not present at the time. The agency also searched the residence of Gurpreet Singh Saini, nephew of Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, in Sahnewal near Ludhiana.
“Premises of ours that are locked, searches are being conducted on those locked premises and locks are being broken. The BJP’s ED is behaving like dacoits,” Cheema said.
He also alleged that the search of a relative’s residence had produced no incriminating material.
“I have an official document right here with me. A raid was conducted at the residence of a relative of our minister, Hardev Singh Mundian ji. They found absolutely nothing there,” Cheema said.
These claims concern the state government’s account of the searches. The ED has not publicly disclosed its final findings or all material seized during the ongoing operation.
Punjab Government Moves High Court
The Punjab government approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court late Wednesday seeking intervention in the ongoing ED searches.
The court subsequently appointed a warrant officer to monitor the search and seizure operations and submit a status report by 2 pm on Thursday. The officer was authorised to visit the search locations at any time and visited the GMADA office early Thursday morning.
The ED operation has continued at GMADA’s Mohali headquarters, with the agency examining records concerning land acquisition, land use changes, compensation payments and dealings with private developers. Reports said the investigation covers locations in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi.
AAP Workers Protest Outside GMADA
AAP workers also protested outside the GMADA office on Thursday, raising slogans against the Central government. The protest formed part of the growing political confrontation between the AAP government in Punjab and the BJP led Centre over the searches.
Cheema said the Punjab government and AAP would challenge the agency’s actions through legal and constitutional means.
“We will take legal action, we will knock on the doors of the court,” he said, adding that the party would continue its political opposition to the Centre’s actions.
AAP leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak also accused the Centre of using probe agencies to target elected representatives and government officials.
The ED’s investigation remains underway, and the agency has not publicly announced its final findings in the case.
