States » NorthPosted at: Nov 6 2026 6:37PM


ED alleges land fraud, benami property deals involving Punjab AAP MLA; legislator denies charges

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Nov 6 (UNI) India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday it had uncovered evidence of suspected benami property transactions and alleged diversion of government compensation funds involving Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora, her husband and associates.
The allegations followed searches at seven premises linked to the Moga legislator, her family and associates on November 4 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Arora denied any wrongdoing, saying investigators had found nothing incriminating during the searches, which lasted about 36 hours. She also accused the federal agency of pressuring her to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with an offer of a ministerial position.
The ED's statement did not address her allegations of political pressure.
The agency said its investigation originated from a Punjab Police case involving alleged manipulation of revenue records and wrongful disbursement of Rs 1,00,65,724, or approximately Rs 1.01 crore, in compensation for government land acquired for National Highway 754A in Moga district.
The original case was registered at Dharamkot police station against revenue official Navdeep Singh, Dilkhush Kumari and others over alleged irregularities involving land in Adhraman village.
Punjab Police have filed a charge sheet against Navdeep Singh, the ED said.
According to investigators, the compensation was deposited into Kumari's bank account, which was subsequently frozen by the bank.
"Investigation further revealed the alleged involvement of the MLA, her husband and other associates in facilitating the diversion and siphoning off of the compensation funds," the ED said.
The agency said its investigation had also uncovered suspected fraudulent acquisition and transfer of government, municipal and charitable properties in Moga.
These included 13 marlas of central government land on Zira Road, seven marlas of Punjab government land at Civil Lines, six marlas of Market Committee land on Railway Road and three kanals and 16 marlas of municipal land at Moga Mehla Singh-3.
Investigators are also examining transactions involving 52 marlas and eight sarsahis of land belonging to the United Church of Northern India Trust Association.
The ED alleged that these properties were transferred or acquired in favour of relatives of the legislator and other associated individuals through manipulated revenue records and property documents.
"Further investigation has revealed that proceeds of crime were allegedly generated through such fraudulent acquisition and transfer of properties," the agency said.
It also raised suspicions about unaccounted cash payments in a residential property transaction in Moga.
The searches covered a hospital-cum-de-addiction centre associated with Arora and yielded documents, electronic devices and other material that investigators said indicated suspected benami property holdings.
The agency said the recovered material was being examined as part of its continuing investigation.
Arora, who heads AAP's Punjab women's wing and has been renominated by the party for the 2027 assembly elections, rejected the allegations and accused the BJP-led central government of using investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents.
"We will join the investigation whenever they call us again," she told reporters after the searches.
The legislator was not named in the original Punjab Police FIR, according to reports of the case.
The ED has not announced any arrests arising from the searches. The allegations against the legislator and her associates remain under investigation and have not been established in court.
The agency said further investigation was underway.
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Tags: #ED alleges land fraud# benami property deals involving Punjab AAP MLA; legislator denies charges
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