Chandigarh :
The Enforcement Directorate today conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Ashok Mittal in Punjab and Gurugram as part of a probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Officials said raids were carried out at 8–9 locations, including Jalandhar and Phagwara, covering business premises, residences, and a farmhouse linked to Mittal and his family. Properties associated with his son and brothers—Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal—were also searched.
Mittal, who heads the Lovely Group, including Lovely Professional University (LPU), was recently appointed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.
Lovely Group Under Scanner
The ED action targeted key entities such as LPU, Lovely Autos, Lovely Sweets, and the Lovely Distance Education Centre. Officials examined financial records at the university campus as part of the ongoing investigation.
Sources indicated the probe pertains to suspected irregularities in financial transactions and fund flows, including possible violations of foreign exchange norms.
AAP Alleges Political Motive
The raids triggered sharp reactions from the Aam Aadmi Party, which accused the Centre of misusing agencies ahead of elections.
Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP had begun preparations for Punjab polls, while Sanjay Singh alleged a pattern of targeting opposition leaders.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the raids part of “poll preparations,” and state AAP president Aman Arora linked the action to recent party developments, asserting the allegations would not stand scrutiny.
