ED raids Punjab university owned by AAP MP who replaced Raghav Chadha in Rajya Sabha

Ashok Mittal, a 61-year-old businessman and educationist who heads the Lovely Group, including the Lovely Professional University (LPU), was recently appointed the Aam Aadmi Party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.

In Short

• Searches include Lovely Professional University, other Lovely group entities
• Probe focuses on alleged financial irregularities involving university funds
• AAP leaders vow strong response, term action as BJP's election strategy

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple business entities linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal in Punjab as part of a probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), officials said.

Mittal, a 61-year-old businessman and educationist who heads the Lovely Group, including the Lovely Professional University (LPU), was recently appointed the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha.

Officials said the searches were carried out at 8-9 locations across Punjab and Gurugram, including Jalandhar and Phagwara. The raids covered business premises, residential properties, and a farmhouse linked to Mittal and his family.

Premises associated with his son were also searched, along with locations linked to other family members, including his brothers Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal.

LOVELY GROUP UNDER SCANNER

The ED action targeted key entities of the Lovely Group, including Lovely Professional University, Lovely Autos, Lovely Sweets, and the Lovely Distance Education Centre.

Teams were also seen at the LPU campus in Jalandhar, where officials are examining documents and financial records as part of the ongoing investigation.

Sources said the probe pertains to suspected irregularities in financial transactions and fund flows linked to the group’s business operations.

Officials confirmed that the action is being carried out under FEMA, which deals with violations related to foreign exchange transactions and cross-border fund movements.

AAP CRIES POLITICAL TARGETING

The raids triggered a sharp political reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party, which alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders ahead of elections.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP had “started preparing for elections in Punjab” and asserted that voters in the state would give a strong response.

Party leader Sanjay Singh also accused the Centre of deploying agencies before polls, claiming the action against Mittal was part of a pattern and would not yield political gains for the BJP.

MANN ALLEGES ‘POLL PREPARATION’ BY BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the raids. Echoing Arvind Kejriwal, he alleged that the BJP has begun its “preparations” for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, due early next year.

In a post on X, Mann said, “BJP begins preparations for Punjab elections. ED raids at the home and university of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal typical Modi style.”

AAP’s Punjab president Aman Arora also linked the raids to the party’s recent internal developments, particularly the replacement of Raghav Chadha by Mittal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha.

“If we do 2+2, it gives an indication that this is linked with him (Raghav Chadha). Whoever stands against BJP, action begins,” Arora said.

He added that the allegations, whether under FEMA or otherwise, would not stand scrutiny and would collapse like previous cases against AAP leaders.

- Ends