The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out raids on premises linked to Ashok Kumar Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in connection with an ongoing probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
As many as 10 locations across Jalandhar and nearby areas in Punjab, as well as Gurugram in Haryana, were covered during the searches. These included the premises of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, where Mittal serves as Chancellor, along with two affiliated institutions in Gurugram—Tetr College of Business and Masters' Union School of Business—founded by his son, Pratham Mittal.
Officials said the investigation is focused on certain overseas financial transactions linked to these institutions. Preliminary statements of individuals present during the searches have been recorded. Responses from the institutions are awaited. Mittal, 61, was recently appointed deputy leader of AAP in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.
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Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly criticised the ED action, alleging it was politically motivated and linked to the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing central agencies.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal echoed the charge, claiming the raids were part of the BJP’s election strategy. Several AAP leaders alleged that agencies like the ED and CBI are being used to target political opponents.
On the other hand, BJP leaders rejected the allegations. Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused AAP of corruption and defended the action as part of efforts to curb wrongdoing. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said if the state government fails to act against corruption, central agencies will step in.
Officials maintained that the searches are part of an ongoing FEMA investigation and not politically driven. No formal charges have been announced so far.
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