EDsummons PSIEC over 40‑acre plot linked to jailed ex‑AAP minister

Enforcement Directorate summons PSIEC over 40‑acre plot tied to jailed ex‑AAP minister Sanjeev Arora.

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned the Punjab State Industrial and Export Corporation for detailed records concerning a 40‑acre plot located along the Chandigarh‑Ludhiana road. The agency’s request centers on the alleged conversion of the land, originally earmarked for industrial use, into luxury housing allotments linked to former AAP minister Sanjeev Arora, who is currently incarcerated.

Sanjeev Arora, a former minister in the Aam Aadmi Party government, was jailed earlier this year on separate charges. The 40‑acre parcel, situated in a prime corridor connecting Chandigarh and Ludhiana, was reportedly allotted to him during his tenure. Investigators allege that the land was re‑classified from industrial to residential use without proper approval, raising questions about compliance with land‑use regulations.

In its summons, the ED asked the corporation to produce all documentation related to the allotment, including correspondence, approval orders and financial details. The move signals an intensification of the agency’s probe into possible irregularities in the conversion of the plot.

Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Enforcement Directorate has the authority to summon entities and demand documentation related to suspected illicit financial activity. The agency’s focus on the plot reflects its broader mandate to trace flows of money that may have resulted from irregular land conversions or unauthorized allotments.

The 40‑acre site lies along a major transportation corridor that connects Chandigarh with nearby industrial hubs, making it a strategically valuable parcel for development projects. Its conversion from earmarked industrial land to residential use could have implications for regional planning and zoning regulations.

The summons arrives amid heightened scrutiny of regional leaders by central investigative agencies, a trend observed in recent years. The episode may influence public perception of the AAP’s governance record.

Officials indicated that the corporation has been given a deadline to furnish the requested records, after which the ED may proceed with further examination or take additional enforcement actions under applicable law. The timeline for the inquiry remains subject to the pace of document submission and any subsequent legal filings.

Legal experts note that the matter will likely proceed through the standard procedural steps, with the corporation required to submit the requested documents within a stipulated timeframe. The outcome of the inquiry could influence both the legal standing of the land transaction and the broader political narrative ahead of upcoming elections.

Source: Hindustan Times