ED raids in Punjab trigger political row as AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal accuses Centre of misusing agencies in alleged ₹100 crore GST fraud case.
The recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in an alleged GST fraud case have ignited a fresh political controversy, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies for political pressure.
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal sharply reacted to the ED action, claiming that traders in Punjab are being unfairly targeted and harassed. The raids, which are linked to an alleged ₹100 crore GST fraud involving mobile phone businesses, have intensified tensions between the state government and the Centre.
ED Action Across Punjab and Uttar Pradesh
On Tuesday, the ED conducted coordinated searches at multiple locations in Jalandhar and Ludhiana in Punjab, as well as Bareilly and Noida in Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, the investigation is part of an ongoing probe into suspected GST evasion involving several individuals and business entities.
The case is reportedly connected to individuals and firms linked to former Punjab minister Sanjeev Arora. Authorities stated that financial documents and transaction records are being thoroughly examined as part of the investigation.
ED पार्टी आज फिर पंजाब के हिंदू व्यापारियों पर ED की रेड कर रही है। ED पार्टी पंजाब के छोटे छोटे हिंदू व्यापारियों को तंग कर रही है।
मेरी सभी व्यापारियों से अपील है – घबराने की कोई बात नहीं है, पूरा पंजाब और पंजाब सरकार आपके साथ है, हम सब मिलकर ED पार्टी का मुकाबला करेंगे।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 9, 2026
Political Reactions Escalate
Following the raids, Arvind Kejriwal issued a public statement assuring traders in Punjab that there was no need to panic. He emphasized that the state government stands firmly with the business community and accused the Centre of creating unnecessary fear among small traders.
Senior AAP leader Anurag Dhanda also criticized the ED’s action, alleging that central agencies are being used as tools for political intimidation. The party claims that the raids are aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear within the trading community.
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Allegations of GST Fraud Under Investigation
The ED is currently investigating an alleged ₹100 crore GST fraud case linked to mobile phone trading networks. Officials said the raids targeted premises where financial irregularities were suspected, and the probe is ongoing.
Investigators are analyzing evidence related to tax evasion, suspicious transactions, and shell entities allegedly involved in the fraud network.
Sanjeev Arora Case Adds Political Sensitivity
The controversy has gained further traction due to the involvement of Sanjeev Arora, a former Punjab minister who was earlier arrested after questioning and searches at his official residence. He was later placed in judicial custody.
His arrest led to a reshuffle of departmental responsibilities within the Punjab government.
Meeting in Jail Sparks Further Debate
The political temperature rose further after Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reportedly met Sanjeev Arora in jail recently. Following this meeting, AAP intensified its allegations against the Centre, accusing it of misusing investigative agencies to target political opponents.
While AAP has consistently raised concerns about agency misuse, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected these allegations, calling the investigations lawful and based on evidence.
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