It is said that raids are also being conducted at the whereabouts of a relative of Channi.
Chandigarh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday hit out at his Punjab counterpart Charanjit Singh Channi over illegal sand mining and asked how can he expect a better future for Punjab.
Significantly, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday raided several places in Punjab as part of its money laundering probe against companies involved in illegal sand mining and ‘sand mafia’. Raids are also being conducted at the whereabouts of a relative.
“It is sad that a relative of the Chief Minister is being raided in connection with illegal sand mining,” Kejriwal said after reaching the airport here. He said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha had told how illegal sand mining was taking place in Chamkaur Sahib, Channi’s assembly constituency.
“Despite this being exposed, the chief minister did not take any action and instead tried to defend her. It is clear that the Chief Minister and his family are involved in illegal sand mining. What can you expect for the future of Punjab from a person whose family is involved in illegal mining.”
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“We have been continuously saying that many people in his cabinet are involved in illegal sand mining and Channi sahib himself is giving them protection,” Kejriwal alleged. He asked, “Why is Channi sahib not throwing him out of the cabinet? Why is he still kept in the cabinet?”
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials are conducting raids at at least 10 to 12 places in Chandigarh and Mohali as part of a money laundering probe against companies involved in illegal sand mining and ‘sand mafia’. Action is being taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Raids are being conducted on the premises of a person named Bhupinder Singh alias Honey. He is said to be a relative of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Opposition parties have earlier also claimed Channi to have links with Honey, but the Chief Minister had denied these things. It is noteworthy that polling for the 117-member Punjab assembly is to be held on February 20. (agency)