ED Conducts Raids on Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora’s Properties
Raids Executed in Ludhiana
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids on Friday at the residence and other properties associated with Sanjeev Arora, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister, in Ludhiana. These actions followed closely on the heels of recent raids on properties belonging to AAP’s Rajya Sabha member Ashok Kumar Mittal, the founder-chancellor of Lovely Professional University, just two days prior.
ED teams arrived at Arora’s home in Gurdev Nagar along with other properties linked to him early in the morning. To ensure the security of the operation, central forces were also deployed at the sites under investigation.
Current Official Engagement
Sources indicate that Minister Arora had departed for Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, late Thursday for an official trip aimed at attracting investment to Punjab. This timing coincides with the ongoing searches on his premises.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Arora commented, “Good morning! An action by the Enforcement Directorate took place at my premises. As a responsible citizen, I will fully cooperate with the agencies, and I am confident the truth will prevail.”
Reactions to the Raids
AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reacted to the raids, highlighting that this was the second ED investigation targeting an AAP leader within a short span. He questioned the Prime Minister about the lack of recovered black money from such raids, asserting that the country is aware of the “petty politics” being engaged in for power.
Union Minister of State and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu also commented on the raids through a Facebook post, stating, “Sab farey jaange” (Everyone will be caught). His statement reflects the ongoing political tensions amid the investigations.
Previous Investigations and Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate had previously conducted raids on October 7, 2024, targeting multiple properties associated with Arora in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Gurgaon as part of an investigation into alleged land fraud. The ED stated post-raids that Arora’s firm engaged in concealing facts related to the misappropriation of industrial land, which resulted in significant losses to the Punjab government.
After examining Arora’s 17 properties, the ED reported that his firm misused industrial land allocated by the government, which was intended for industrial development. The agency claimed that Hampton Sky Reality, Arora’s company, violated the prescribed conditions of land allotment, initiating illegal development of residential and business projects.
Profile of Sanjeev Arora
Arora currently holds the position of Punjab’s Industries and Commerce Minister, as well as Local Bodies Minister. He is an industrialist-turned-politician, having been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by AAP in 2022 before resigning to contest the Ludhiana West by-election, which he subsequently won.
In August 2025, following his appointment as a cabinet minister, Arora resigned from all his corporate roles, including that of chairman and managing director of M/S Hampton Sky Reality Limited, in which he had significant interests in real estate and fashion. His son, Kavya Arora, now serves as the managing director, while his wife, Sandhya Arora, holds the position of director.
The company is known for developing the Hampton Court Business Park and a luxury housing project named ‘Hampton Homes’ located on Chandigarh Road in Ludhiana. Besides his business ventures, Arora runs the Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust in Ludhiana. Originally residing in Gurgaon, he has established a home in Gurdev Nagar following his election as an MLA for Ludhiana West.
