Raghav Goyal (30), who has been arrested along with his father Vikas Goyal in a case involving alleged acceptance of bribe on behalf of a top Vigilance official, was often seen with Union ministers at political and public events.
Raghav Goyal, alias Raghu, is a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader, currently serving as its Fazilka district in-charge.
Raghav entered politics around four years ago. “He developed contacts in national politics through his relatives, who have links in Delhi,” said sources close to the family.
A resident of Krishna Colony in Malout, Raghav frequently posted photographs on social media with Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. He was also seen accompanying some ministers during visits and meetings in their offices. Social media posts and photographs showed Shekhawat attending Raghav’s wedding in Rajasthan last year.
Some locals said they had never heard of Raghav or his father being involved in any illegal activity.
“They are known as businessmen having civil contractor work in the Rural Development and Water Resources Departments. The family has old ties with the SAD as former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s father Gurdas Singh Badal used to visit their residence to meet Raghav’s grandfather. Even Manpreet continues to visit them,” said a local close to them.
Some photos of Raghav and his father with Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal have also surfaced online.
According to sources, Raghav is a close relative of a retired Punjab ADGP.
“Raghav joined the BJP around four years ago. He wanted to contest the coming municipal council elections, but withdrew his plan around 15 days ago,” said Satish Asija, president of the BJP’s Muktsar district unit.
BJYM’s Fazilka district president Gurjeet Singh Rana Sandhu said, “He is the in-charge for the BJYM in Fazilka district. However, he has not been active for over a year now.” Meanwhile, the CBI conducted a raid on Raghav’s residence on Monday night and seized nearly Rs 4 lakh along with some documents.
