‘Second ED Raid In 3 Days’: AAP's Anurag Dhanda Attacks Centre After Sanjeev Arora Search

Enforcement Directorate searches linked to Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora and associates trigger political debate ahead of elections, with linked actions against AAP figures and ongoing probe into land transactions and money laundering.

The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora’s residence in Ludhiana on 17 April 2026, triggering immediate political debate. Teams also reached several other premises linked to Sanjeev Arora and associates, as part of a wider operation that began in the early hours and drew quick reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party.

According to initial information, the agency is probing alleged irregularities in land transactions and related money laundering in an earlier case. Investigators searched multiple properties at the same time, while central security personnel cordoned off the surrounding area. The Enforcement Directorate has not released any official statement about the raids so far.

ED raid and earlier action against AAP leaders

The latest ED raid came just two days after similar searches at locations connected to Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal. Party leaders claim these operations form part of a broader pressure strategy before upcoming elections. Within three days, two senior figures from the party in Punjab have faced ED action, sharpening tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups in the state.

ED raid sparks sharp AAP response

Aam Aadmi Party national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda criticised the central government over the ED raid on Sanjeev Arora. Through social media posts, Anurag Dhanda alleged repeated searches against opposition parties undermine democratic norms and show misuse of investigative agencies. Anurag Dhanda argued that similar trends are visible in several non-BJP governed states.

Anurag Dhanda specifically referred to developments in West Bengal while commenting on the Punjab action. On X, Anurag Dhanda wrote, "This is the second ED raid against the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab within three days. Now the ED has raided the premises of Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora. The Modi government has crossed every limit of shamelessness. They are not even pretending to uphold the democratic system anymore, they have effectively declared a dictatorship. Then what happens to the ED in West Bengal is justified too, isn’t it?"

Political circles in Punjab are now closely watching the ED probe into the alleged land deals, as well as the agency’s next steps. While opposition parties and the Aam Aadmi Party exchange allegations, the official details of the case remain with the Enforcement Directorate, which is yet to disclose findings from the searches at Sanjeev Arora’s and Ashok Mittal’s linked premises.