The Enforcement Directorate (ED) logo.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday conducted searches at the several premises of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, including in Jalandhar and Delhi, in connection with a "land fraud case", prompting the AAP to call it a "politically motivated" action aimed at crushing the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.
The searches were conducted by investigations in 16-17 locations, including the 61-year-old MP's residence in Ludhiana and Gurugram. Premises linked to real estate businessman Hemant Sood and another person Chandra Shekhar Agrawal in Jalandhar were also searched.
"I am a law-abiding citizen, am not sure about the reason for the search operation, will cooperate fully with agencies and make sure all their queries are answered," Arora, who represents Punjab in Rajya Sabha, posted on 'X' as the searches proceeded.
Sources claimed that Arora is being investigated for transferring an industrial plot in the name of his company in an "illegal" manner.
AAP rallied behind Arora with party chief Kejriwal coming out in support and saying that the ED action was "politically motivated" and it was "not about corruption but another targeted attack to crush" their party.
"Today, they are conducting an ED raid on Sanjeev Arora. Before this, they arrested me, Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain and others. This is not an investigation against corruption. It is clearly an orchestrated attempt by the Prime Minister to crush one party using every resource, agency, and power at his disposal," Kejriwal said.
"We have God on our side, and we have done nothing wrong. Despite these attempts to malign us, we remain unshaken and fearless," he added.
AAP Rajya Sabha floor leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the Prime Minister is only focused on destroying the AAP and "consumed with hatred" that he cannot think about what you will do for the country.
"You have no concern about how to create jobs, fix the education system, or improve healthcare. Your only concern is how to destroy Kejriwal, AAP and its leaders. Those who bow down to this man are spared, no matter how corrupt they are. AAP will continue to fight. I pray to God that he drops such antics soon, and may justice prevail," he added.
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the ED action was an attempt to break their party but they will "not stop, get sold or get scared".