Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jalandhar on Tuesday in connection with a suspected violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Arora entered the agency’s office at around 11.15 am for questioning.
He had been asked to furnish certain documents before the ED. The central agency is probing the MLA on the basis of a case registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on May 23 last year.
In the Vigilance Bureau case, Arora was accused of extorting money from residents by issuing fake building violation notices in alleged collusion with Municipal Corporation officials, including an Assistant Town Planner and a building branch inspector.
On the day of his release in the Vigilance Bureau case, Arora was re-arrested in a graft and extortion case registered by the police.
Leaders within the ruling party are said to be wary, fearing that Arora, who allegedly had links with the party’s top leadership before his arrest, could make disclosures regarding internal matters.
Even after his release from jail in September last year, Arora remained largely sidelined by the party. Until recently, he was reportedly not permitted to meet the public or endorse official documents.
He has also not inaugurated any development projects in his Assembly constituency since his release, and party halqa in-charge Nitin Kohli has been at the forefront.
