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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at multiple locations in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Uttarakhand linked to former Cabinet minister and Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat. The action is part of an alleged forest land scam case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Harak Singh Rawat, who had previously quit the BJP and joined the Congress ahead of the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections, is believed to be connected to illegal activities in the state’s Corbett Tiger Reserve.
In addition to Harak Singh Rawat, several other individuals were subjected to raids at over 10 locations in Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Chandigarh. The ED’s investigation aims to unravel the alleged forest land scam, and the raids are part of the ongoing efforts to address the financial aspects of the case.
The ED’s actions on Harak Singh Rawat come on the heels of raids on premises linked to leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant’s residence was among the locations searched. The raids were conducted as part of an investigation into alleged kickbacks of around Rs 21 crore through irregularities in a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) contract, with the focus on money laundering and purported use of funds for AAP election campaigns.
The ED’s recent actions underscore a broader trend of stringent measures against leaders from various opposition parties. These investigations are focused on alleged financial irregularities, bribery, and money laundering, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to addressing corruption and illegal activities in different domains. The outcomes of these probes are awaited as they unfold amid political and legal scrutiny.
