The ED on Wednesday carried out raids at ten locations linked to AAP MP Ashok Mittal, who is the founder and chancellor of one of the country’s largest
private universities. The anti-money laundering agency said the searches are being conducted under provisions related to foreign exchange violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The raids are underway at Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, as well as at Tetr College of Business and Masters’ Union College of Business in Gurugram. Earlier this month, the AAP had written to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat informing that Ashok Mittal has been appointed the party’s Deputy Leader in the Upper House, in place of Raghav Chadha. According to Ashok Mittal’s website, “He has spearheaded the implementation of India’s most extensive private scholarship programme, disbursing annual scholarships exceeding Rs 100 crore to deserving students, including those with physical disabilities.” Mittal (61) joined the AAP in 2022 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Reacting to the raids, AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on X, “Modi ji has started preparations for the Punjab elections. But the people of Punjab will not tolerate this. They will give a befitting reply to the BJP.”
Punjab is scheduled to go to the polls next year. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also reacted on X, alleging political targeting. He said, “The BJP has begun preparations for the Punjab elections… ED raids at the residence and university of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal… typical Modi style… we are not leaves that will fall off branches… tell the storms to stay within their limits.”
Officials said the searches are being carried out under FEMA across 10 locations in Gurugram and Jalandhar, including premises linked to Ashok Mittal. “All locations are part of searches on the above-mentioned colleges, which belong to the same Lovely University Group,” they said.
The agency added that the raids began early in the morning and covered multiple premises. A detailed statement is expected once the searches conclude.
