ED Concludes Raids at Delhi Cabinet Minister Raaj Kumar Anand’s Premises

The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids at the premises of Delhi Cabinet Minister Raaj Kumar Anand concluded early Friday after approximately 23 hours. The legislator has alleged that this action was part of a “conspiracy to harass” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders.

The searches were carried out as part of a money laundering investigation involving the minister and some individuals associated with him. The operation commenced at around 7:30 am on Thursday and concluded at about 5 am on Friday.

The searches extended for roughly 23 hours, and the minister expressed his belief that this was part of a conspiracy to target AAP leaders. After the ED officials departed from his residence in the Civil Lines area of the national capital, the minister addressed reporters.

The investigation against Anand was initiated in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as stated by sources.

This probe is rooted in a charge sheet filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) regarding false declarations in imports, resulting in customs evasion of over Rs 7 crore, as well as international hawala transactions, according to the sources.

Following a local court’s acknowledgment of the DRI’s prosecution complaint, the ED subsequently filed a PMLA case against Anand and several others.

Raaj Kumar Anand, aged 57, serves as the minister for social welfare and SC/ST welfare, among other responsibilities, in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government. He is also an MLA representing Patel Nagar.