ED arrests former MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira in money laundering case

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today arrested former Punjab MLA and Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged drug racket being probed against him and others, officials said.

They said Khaira was summoned under provisions of the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA). He appeared before a team in Chandigarh and was arrested after he evaded some questions, they said.

Linked to int’l drug smugglers: Agency

• The matter pertains to ED probe in a 2015 Fazilka drugs smuggling case
• Nearly 1.8 kg heroin, 24 gold biscuits, arms and two Pak SIM cards were seized from smugglers
• ED claims Khaira was actively aiding the gang and enjoying crime proceeds

The officials said Khaira was produced before a special PMLA court in Mohali where the ED would seek his remand. The agency had in March this year raided the premises of Khaira in Chandigarh, his son-in-law Inderveer Singh Johal in Delhi and that of some linked persons. The ED has alleged that Khaira is an “associate” of drugs case convicts and fake passport racketeers.

Khaira has denied any wrongdoing and said he was being targeted by the central agencies as he had been vocal against the Centre’s farm laws. ED sources said it was alleged that Khaira had visited the US in 2016, when he was with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and raised $1,19,000 from NRIs in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly elections.

When he was grilled about it, he said the trip was organised by AAP, and that he had no knowledge of the funding. Khaira was elected to the state Assembly in 2017 from Bholath on Aam Aadmi Party ticket.