ED Says Ex-Minister Arora Favoured Realtors in PSIEC Plot Transfersਈਡੀ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼: ਸਾਬਕਾ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਅਰੋੜਾ ਨੇ ਪੀਐੱਸਆਈਈਸੀ ਪਲਾਟਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਿਆਇਤਾਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that former Punjab industries minister Sunder Sham Arora gave undue favours to private real estate players in transfers of high-value industrial plots of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) and, in return, acquired stakes in realty firms in the name of his son, Parteek Arora. The agency made the claims in a statement on Friday, November 6, after searches at 14 premises on November 2 and 3. These are the ED's allegations; none has been proved in court.

What does the ED allege?

According to the Indian Express, Hindustan Times, The Times of India and PTI, the ED says Arora, industries and commerce minister from March 2017 to September 2021, exercised direct control over PSIEC. It alleges that he favoured developers in plot transfers and that stakes in real estate entities were acquired in his son's name. The case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act stems from a Punjab Vigilance Bureau FIR alleging assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

What is the Mohali plot A-32 deal?

The ED singled out Industrial Plot A-32 in Phase 8, Mohali, originally allotted by PSIEC to JCT Electronics, now bankrupt. In February 2020, an auction conducted by ARCIL transferred it to GRG Developers and Promoters LLP for Rs 90.56 crore, Hindustan Times reported. The ED says PSIEC was entitled to 50 per cent of the sale proceeds as unearned increase, besides enhanced land cost and transfer charges, but these dues were allegedly not fully paid. It adds that the plot was subdivided and sold to third parties before possession and approvals, and that after the tripartite agreement was cancelled in August 2021 no step was taken to cancel the lease or resume the plot.

What was seized in the searches?

The ED said the searches in Punjab and Chandigarh recovered mobile phones, incriminating documents, property papers, PSIEC plot records and digital devices, and bank lockers were frozen. Punjab News Express said the Jalandhar zonal office carried out the operation.

Has Arora responded?

The reports opened for this story carry no response from Arora to the ED statement. The Indian Express also reported an allegation that he offered a Rs 1 crore bribe to a Vigilance Bureau officer; this too is the agency's claim and unproven.

Who is Sunder Sham Arora?

A Congress leader from Hoshiarpur who served as Punjab's industries and commerce minister in 2017-2021, aged 68 according to PTI.

What happens next?

The ED continues to examine the seized records. No arrest of Arora was reported in the sources checked.

Is Sunder Sham Arora arrested?

No arrest was reported in the coverage opened for this story.

What is PSIEC?

The state corporation that develops industrial areas and allots plots to businesses in Punjab.