Ropar Mining Row: BJP's Lalpura Seeks ED Probe, Congress Wants CBI; AAP MLA Chadha Deniesਰੋਪੜ ਮਾਈਨਿੰਗ ਵਿਵਾਦ: ਭਾਜਪਾ ਦੇ ਲਾਲਪੁਰਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਈਡੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ, ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਨੇ ਸੀਬੀਆਈ ਮੰਗੀ; ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਚੱਢਾ ਦਾ ਇਨਕਾਰ

Ropar's illegal-mining row escalated on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when BJP district president Ajayvir Singh Lalpura wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an Enforcement Directorate probe, and the district Congress chief demanded CBI and ED inquiries. AAP MLA Dinesh Chadha has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. None of the claims has been independently verified.

What did BJP's Ajayvir Lalpura allege?

At a press conference at the district BJP office, Lalpura alleged that illegal mining continues in the Saidpur, Agampur, Algran and Plata areas of Rupnagar district, Babushahi reported. He claimed he had information about payments collected from mining-related businesses, including a charge of Rs 5 per square foot at some locations, Rs 7 lakh a month from some crusher units and Rs 3.5 lakh a month from certain screening plants.

He said he would disclose the names of crusher owners allegedly involved, and that officials would also be named if evidence showed their involvement. Babushahi noted that the allegations are yet to be established through an official investigation.

What are the videos he cited?

Lalpura referred to three videos featuring a man identified as Kalu Saidpur from the Nurpur Bedi area, which allege police pressure, the use of criminal cases to intimidate people and demands for advance money for elections, Ajit reported. The videos have been linked to Ropar AAP MLA Dinesh Chadha. Lalpura challenged Chadha to file a defamation case against the person who made them if the claims are false.

Ajit also reported that claims are being made about the video-maker's own links to the mining business and to some political leaders; these too are unverified. Punjabi Jagran reported that a local numberdar publicly said he stands with Kalu Saidpur.

Why did Lalpura write to Amit Shah?

Lalpura said he submitted a complaint to the Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner in 2025, then wrote to the then chief secretary, the Governor, the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister. He claimed the Prime Minister's Office forwarded a letter to the Punjab government on March 3 asking for an inquiry, but that nearly one-and-a-half years on there had been no satisfactory outcome. His latest letter seeks an ED probe into alleged financial transactions and extortion linked to mining, and the role of officials. He also asked what former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi did about illegal mining during his tenure.

What do Congress and AAP say?

Rupnagar district Congress president Ashwani Sharma separately demanded a CBI and ED investigation, alleging round-the-clock mining with heavy machinery along the Sutlej and Swan river banks, and asked that the role of the concerned minister and the local MLA be examined, Ajit reported.

Punjabi Tribune reported that MLA Dinesh Chadha called the allegations politically motivated. Chadha also answered Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who had posted that Chadha owns Rs 2,000 crore of assets, by calling the claim baseless and saying he would donate assets of even Rs 100 crore to Majithia if found, daring him to use central agencies, Babushahi reported.

What happens next?

No agency has announced any probe. The Ropar district administration and the Punjab government have not been reported as responding to the mining claims. Illegal mining along the Sutlej and Swan has been a recurring political issue ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.

What is Lalpura asking the ED to investigate?

He wants the ED to examine alleged financial transactions and extortion linked to illegal mining in Rupnagar district, and the role of officials.

Has Dinesh Chadha responded?

Punjabi Tribune reported that Chadha called the allegations politically motivated, and Babushahi reported his challenge to Majithia over the Rs 2,000 crore asset claim.

Which areas does the mining row cover?

Lalpura named the Saidpur, Agampur, Algran and Plata areas, while Congress's Ashwani Sharma cited the Sutlej and Swan river banks.