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CHANDIGARH: In a politically sensitive development, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted raids at more than a dozen locations across Chandigarh and Mohali in connection with an alleged land scam and money laundering investigation, and named Aman Arora in its official statement issued after the searches.
The central agency alleged that one of the builders covered during the operation, Gaurav Dhir of M/s Dhir Constructions, was a “close associate” of the senior Aam Aadmi Party leader. However, neither Aman Arora nor the party issued an immediate response until the report was filed.
According to the ED, the searches were conducted under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with alleged irregularities in real estate transactions and project transfers linked to private builders and developers.
Alleged undervaluation of the project
In its statement, the agency claimed that Gaurav Dhir, through his entity M/s Suncity Projects, purchased a real estate project from Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd for “a paltry sum of Rs 130 crore” by allegedly undervaluing the project by more than Rs 170 crore.
The ED alleged that the transaction was structured to facilitate money laundering and conceal the actual value of the project.
“To facilitate money laundering, Gaurav Dhir of M/s Dhir Constructions, through its entity M/s Suncity Projects, has purchased the project from Altus Space Builders Pvt Ltd for a paltry sum of Rs 130 crores, by undervaluing the project by more than Rs 170 crores,” the agency stated.
The agency further alleged that Dhir maintained close links with Aman Arora, describing him as a “close associate” of the high-ranking Punjab AAP leader.
ED alleges political patronage.
The Enforcement Directorate also named two alleged intermediaries — Nitin Gohal and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa — accusing them of facilitating “political patronage and protection” in the matter.
According to the agency, the duo allegedly acted as middlemen between private entities and influential individuals, helping secure favourable conditions and administrative support.
“During the search, two middlemen, Nitin Gohal and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa, have also been covered, who have helped in political patronage and protection. Several incriminating documents have been recovered, suggesting interference of these private individuals in Government functioning in the state of Punjab,” the ED said in its statement.
The agency, however, did not publicly disclose the exact nature of the documents allegedly recovered during the operation.
High drama during Mohali raids
The searches sparked dramatic scenes at a high-rise building in Mohali after bundles of Rs 500 currency notes were allegedly thrown from an upper floor during the raid proceedings. Videos purportedly showing currency notes scattered across the premises circulated rapidly on social media throughout the day, drawing widespread public attention and political reactions.
Officials have not yet confirmed the exact amount of cash recovered during the searches.
The raids come amid increasing scrutiny by central agencies into alleged financial irregularities linked to real estate dealings and political connections in Punjab. The developments are expected to intensify the political confrontation between the ruling AAP in Punjab and the Opposition, particularly with the ED directly naming the state party chief in its official communication. So far, no arrests have been announced in the case, and the investigation is continuing.
