AAP MLA from Punjab Arrested
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Punjab lawmaker Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra in connection with a ₹40 crore bank fraud case. He was apprehended by ED officials during a public meeting after skipping their summons. This action has raised political tensions, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the BJP of plotting to defame them.
In September of the previous year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had conducted searches at three premises linked to Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra, including his residence, in connection with an alleged ₹41 crore bank fraud case. The searches reportedly uncovered ₹16.57 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and incriminating bank and property documents.
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The case against Mr. Majra and others, including the Tara Corporation Limited, was registered based on a complaint by a Bank of India branch in Ludhiana, Punjab. It also named several individuals, senior executives, and “unknown public servants.”
This arrest is part of a series of actions by central investigative agencies against opposition parties and leaders, including AAP boss and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Mr. Kejriwal was called for questioning in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case on November 2 but chose to campaign in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh instead.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is also under investigation by the ED over allegations of receiving ₹508 crore in bribes in connection with the Mahadev betting app owner. This investigation has been criticized, with Mr. Baghel accusing the BJP of weaponizing the ED.
Furthermore, the ED had recently conducted searches at locations linked to another AAP lawmaker, Kulwant Singh, as part of a money laundering investigation related to drugs. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the ED’s actions and accused the BJP of targeting AAP leaders for their commitment to the welfare of the people.
