NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    In the news
    Narendra Modi
    Amit Shah
    Box Office Collection
    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
    OTT releases
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Politics News / Punjab CM's relative under ED scanner in sand mining case
    Punjab CM's relative under ED scanner in sand mining case
    Politics

    Punjab CM's relative under ED scanner in sand mining case

    Written by Saptak Datta
    January 18, 2022 | 07:10 pm 3 min read
    Punjab CM's relative under ED scanner in sand mining case
    The development comes just weeks before the Punjab Assembly elections and amid heavy campaigning.

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided various locations in Punjab on Tuesday as part of a money-laundering investigation against illegal sand mining operations. Officials from the agency raided 10 locations throughout the state in a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A relative of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi was notably among those investigated in connection with the case.

    Why does this story matter?

    The development comes just weeks before the Punjab elections and people with ties to the state's ruling Congress party are being investigated. Illegal sand mining is among the major issues highlighted during poll campaigning, along with drug cases and sacrilege. Congress has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government of abusing investigation agencies such as the ED and CBI to intimidate and silence critics.

    Residence of Punjab CM's nephew raided

    The ED notably searched Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's nephew Bhupinder Singh Honey's residence in Mohali. The probing agency is currently looking into Honey's link with one Kudratdeep Singh, who is accused of illicit sand mining. According to sources cited by The Times of India, the ED has taken cognizance of an FIR filed by the Punjab Police in 2018.

    CM Channi says he's being 'targeted'

    "They are targeting me and trying to put pressure on me in view of upcoming Assembly polls," Channi told ANI, adding that "the same thing had happened during the West Bengal elections." CBI, ED, and IT raids have become a tool of the BJP government during elections, tweeted Congress leader Alka Lamba. "Congress will not be scared by these electoral gimmicks," she added.

    Sand mining contracts secured through iIllegal funds: ED

    Honey is accused of floating a firm called Punjab Realtors to obtain sand mining contracts, India Today cited sources as saying. The company floated is of a tiny scale and is unlikely to secure a contract costing crores, they said. The ED believes that illegal funds were used to secure the sand mining contract.

    All Congress lawmakers involved: Former CM

    Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said last month that all Congress legislators in Punjab were involved in the illicit sand trade. "Ask me who is not involved. If I start telling the names then I will have to start from the top," he said. Singh added that he had alerted Congress President Sonia Gandhi about the MLAs' involvement.

    Punjab elections due on February 20

    Punjab will hold a single-phase election for 117 Assembly seats on February 20. The results of the polls will be announced on March 10. With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) posing a danger, Congress is competing to retain power. Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh has formed his own political party, the Punjab Lok Congress, and joined hands with the BJP for the elections.

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Related News
    Punjab
    Enforcement Directorate (ED)
    Indian National Congress (INC)
    Charanjit Singh Channi
    2022 Punjab Polls

    Punjab

    Punjab elections postponed to February 20 after leaders' appeal Election Commission of India (ECI)
    Punjab CM's brother to contest independently after Congress denies ticket Indian National Congress (INC)
    Delhi: Involvement of Pakistan's ISI suspected after recovery of IED Delhi Police
    PM security breach: Ex-judge Indu Malhotra to head probe committee Supreme Court Of India

    Enforcement Directorate (ED)

    Anil Deshmukh's bail plea rejected in money laundering case Maharashtra
    5 actresses who were summoned by the ED this year Bollywood
    Aishwarya Rai appears before ED in Panama Papers leak case Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
    Jacqueline, Nora admit to receiving gifts from Sukesh Chandrasekhar: Report Jacqueline Fernandez

    Indian National Congress (INC)

    Congress hints at Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab CM face Navjot Singh Sidhu
    Yogi Adityanath to contest UP polls from Gorakhpur Yogi Adityanath
    UP elections: Unnao rape victim's mother among Congress poll candidates Uttar Pradesh
    Stampede-like situation at Congress' Bareilly marathon; party says 'human nature' Uttar Pradesh

    Charanjit Singh Channi

    Was worried about Modi, contacted Punjab CM: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Narendra Modi
    President expresses concern over Modi's security breach; CCS interferes Narendra Modi
    Punjab imposes night curfew; 50% capacity at restaurants, schools shut Punjab
    Kapurthala lynching: CM says no sacrilege; Gurdwara caretaker arrested Punjab

    2022 Punjab Polls

    Amarinder and Sidhu to meet again; rumor mills set rolling Punjab
    Next News Article

    Love Politics News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Politics Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023