Seven premises searched in money-laundering probe linked to forged mutation and wrongful payment of ₹1 crore compensation
MOGA: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at seven premises linked to Moga Aam Aadmi Party MLA Dr Amandeep Kaur Arora, her husband, family members and associates in a money-laundering investigation arising from an alleged government land fraud.
The searches began early in the morning at the MLA’s residences, including her flat in Icon Heights on GT Road and her camp office at Model Colony on Dosanjh Road in Moga.
Premises associated with her husband, Dr Rakesh Arora, and a de-addiction and rehabilitation hospital linked to him were also covered during the operation. ED teams from Chandigarh and Delhi conducted the searches in the presence of security personnel.
Dr Arora, who is also president of AAP’s Punjab women’s wing, was reportedly present at her residence and was questioned during the search.
The investigation concerns the alleged fraudulent mutation of government land acquired for the construction of National Highway 754A in Moga district and the wrongful disbursement of compensation from public funds.
The ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Punjab Police at Dharmkot police station on June 16, 2024.
The police case was registered following a complaint from the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Moga. It names Navdeep Singh, then patwari of the Kishanpura Kalan revenue circle, and private beneficiary Dilkhush Kumari.
The original FIR does not name MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora or members of her family. AAP has announced Dr Arora as its candidate from Moga in its first list for the Assembly elections.
According to the allegations, land in Adraman village of Dharmkot tehsil was acquired for the national highway project. Compensation amounting to ₹1,00,65,724 was paid to Dilkhush Kumari on the basis of entries in revenue records.
A subsequent inquiry allegedly found that the land belonged to the Punjab government and that a fraudulent mutation had been created to claim the compensation.
The police alleged that revenue records were manipulated and the signatures of the then tehsildar were forged. A forensic examination reportedly confirmed that the signatures appearing on the mutation papers were not genuine.
Investigators also allegedly found that the software entry relating to the mutation had been manually backdated to September 13, 2022. An additional parcel measuring six kanals and 18 marlas was allegedly included even though it was not part of the beneficiary’s lawful allocation.
The police FIR was registered under IPC provisions dealing with cheating, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy. The ED is now investigating the possible laundering and utilisation of the alleged proceeds of crime.
AAP workers gathered outside the MLA’s premises and raised slogans against the BJP and the central agency. Party workers alleged that the action was politically motivated and intended to pressure the legislator ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Neither Dr Arora nor her family had issued a detailed statement on the allegations at the time of filing this report. The ED had also not announced the seizure of any cash, documents or other property during the searches.