AAP Minister’s Press Conference Overshadowed by ED Raid Allegations

May 8, 2026

Before the assembly elections to be held next year in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Aman Arora has been caught in an ED raid. The investigation agency ED claims that Gaurav Dheer, accused of money laundering, is a close associate of Minister Aman Arora. Regarding this, Arora held a press conference in Chandigarh and said that Gaurav Dheer is his friend, but he has nothing to do with his business dealings.

If ED wants to reach me, I challenge them to call me, interrogate me, check my mobile. I have nothing to do with any such irregularities.

Meanwhile, in Mohali, the ED raid on 2 real estate groups is still ongoing even after 24 hours. The most important figure in this is IT businessman Nitin Gohil, who resides in Western Towers Society, Mohali. Opponents are claiming that he is close to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman.

Late yesterday evening, the ED issued a press note stating that 1 crore rupees had been recovered from their locations. This case made headlines when, during the raid, cash bags were thrown down from the 9th floor of the society. When one bag burst, 500-rupee notes were seen flying in the air.

The ED says that this entire case is about obtaining Change of Land Use (CLU) fraudulently and about defrauding landowners and customers of crores of rupees, as well as money laundering.

Regarding the opposition’s allegations about Nitin Gohil’s relationship with OSD Rajbir Ghumman, yesterday CM Bhagwant Mann clarified in Amritsar that those who were raided have no connection with us. The ED has come in connection with an old case. We have nothing to do with them. However, opponents raised questions that the money seen flying in the air yesterday and the amount recovered actually belongs to CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghumman. This is their so-called strict honesty.

Why did the ED conduct this raid? Know in 5 points…

Fake consent letters of land prepared: According to the ED, the investigation revealed that Suresh Kumar Bajaj and Ajay Sehgal of Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society (Suntek City) prepared fake consent letters for 30.5 acres of land of 15 landowners. These letters had forged signatures and thumbprints, and CLU was obtained from GMADA using them.
More than 150 crore rupees collected: After this, more than 150 crore rupees were collected from people by making them members of the society without any sale deed. Ajay Sehgal also developed projects like ‘La Canela’ and ‘District 7′ in a similar manner.
Non-bailable warrant against promoter: In another case, Altus Space Builders Private Limited is accused of misleading buyers by saying that their project had obtained the final CLU from GMADA, whereas it was conditional and later canceled. In this case, a non-bailable warrant has been issued against the company promoter Mohinder Singh, and he has been declared a fugitive criminal.

The money laundering angle also surfaced: The investigation has also revealed a money laundering angle. The allegation is that Gaurav Dheer of M/s Dheer Constructions tried to take over Altus Space Builders’ properties at a lower price to facilitate money laundering. Gaurav Dheer is close to AAP minister Aman Arora.
Middlemen provided political protection: Additionally, names of middlemen like Nitin Gohel and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa have also come up, who helped the accused in obtaining political protection. Several documents were also recovered during the investigation, which point towards their interference in government work.

How the notes flew when faced with a raid, know in 5 points

Mistook the driver for a businessman and made him sit with them: The ED team had arrived around 6:45 AM. At that time, the driver Sanjay Singh had gone upstairs to start the car and take the children. The team mistook him for an IT businessman and made him sit with them, while Nitin was walking downstairs. Later, when he came upstairs, the team made him sit with them for questioning.
Checked children’s tiffins and school bags: During this time, the driver Sanjay Singh said that he had to drop the children at school. So one member of the team went with him. But before that, the car was searched. The children’s tiffins and school bags were also checked. After that, he was allowed to go.

The elders heard the sound of a bag falling: Around 7:30, the society’s senior citizen Kakkar was walking downstairs with his family. They heard the sound of something falling in the society. The bag had fallen from the ninth floor. When they went to see at the back side of the society, there was no one there. Bundles of 500-rupee notes were scattered in the street. Along with them, two bags were also lying there. They could not understand where this money had come from.

Poll opened on WhatsApp: After this, they thought that maybe someone’s money had accidentally fallen, so they made a video of it and posted it on the society’s WhatsApp group. They also wrote that someone’s cash had fallen down, which they have safely, and whoever it belongs to can come and take it. But Nitin, his wife, and the driver’s mobile phones were with the team. They saw that message in the group and immediately came downstairs and took the cash into their possession.
Driver has been working for three years: Driver Sanjay Singh has been working with them for the past three years. He says that he never felt that Nitin does anything wrong. His job is only to drop and pick up the children from school and tuition.