ED arrests Punjab CM's nephew in money laundering case linked to illegal sand mining

New Delhi: In a major political development just over a fortnight before the Punjab Assembly election, which is scheduled on February 20, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Bhupinder Singh alias Honey, who is the nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal sand mining in the border state.

According to ED officials, Honey was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) late Thursday night after several hours of questioning at the agency's office in Jalandhar.

However, it has been learnt that Honey, who is the son of Channi's sister-in-law, was evasive in his replies and was hence taken into custody. The ED produced him before a special PMLA court in Mohali on Friday and granted his custody till February 8.

The arrest comes days before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's likely announcement of the party's chief ministerial candidate in Punjab. Gandhi is expected to make the announcement during his virtual rally in Ludhiana on Sunday and Channi is stated to be the front runner.

Meanwhile, Congress has hit out at the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the 'targeted' arrest of Punjab CM's nephew. The Congress on Friday alleged that the Centre is making attempts to frame Punjab CM in a false case, which exposes the BJP's anti-Dalit mindset.

Reacting to the development, the party's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the BJP has deployed its 'Election department' ED (Enforcement Directorate) just 15 days ahead of the election because PM Modi is staring at a defeat in Punjab. "While the people of Punjab are paying a price for supporting the farmers' protest, the 'fake raid and arrest' are BJP's favour to 'Chote Modi' Kejriwal who had also notified the farm laws," Surjewala said, adding that attacking Channi by digging up his nephew's six-year-old case, attacking Sidhu in a 33-year-old case are extensions of support to Kejriwal.

Congress leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that it is a political arrest to create pressure. "If action had to be taken against someone, it should have been done over 4-5 months, not in one single day. It's being done purposely. As Channi is a Scheduled Caste CM, so they want to hassle and demoralise him," Kharge said.

The ED had raided the premises of Honey on January 18 and had claimed to have seized about Rs 8 crore cash and "incriminating" documents.