ED Raids LPU Campus Linked to AAP MP Ashok Mittal Over FEMA Probe
ED raids LPU have brought the spotlight on Punjab’s Lovely Professional University and its founder, Ashok Kumar Mittal, as the central agency intensifies its investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
Early Wednesday morning, teams from the Enforcement Directorate reportedly conducted searches at multiple locations linked to the Lovely Group in Punjab. The operation covered the university campus in Phagwara, business establishments, and residential premises associated with Mittal and his family members.
Officials indicated that the action is part of an ongoing probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, which governs cross-border financial transactions. Investigators are examining whether entities connected to the group complied with foreign exchange regulations. So far, authorities have not publicly detailed the exact nature of the alleged violations.
Sources familiar with the operation said the agency acted independently and did not involve local police during the searches. Alongside the university, other businesses under the Lovely Group—ranging from educational ventures to commercial outlets—are also under scrutiny as part of the same case.
The development has gained additional attention due to its timing. Mittal was recently appointed as the Aam Aadmi Party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. His elevation marked a shift in the party’s parliamentary leadership structure, though officials have not suggested any direct connection between the appointment and the ongoing investigation.
Politically, the raids have triggered a sharp response from AAP leaders. Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal criticised the action, suggesting it was politically motivated ahead of upcoming electoral developments in Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also questioned the timing of the raids, calling it a familiar pattern of central agency intervention.
Also read | AAP Removes Raghav Chadha As Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader, Appoints Ashok Mittal
Despite the political reactions, the ED has maintained silence on specifics, and no official confirmation has been issued regarding seizures, arrests, or the scale of alleged violations. Investigators are expected to analyse documents and digital records collected during the searches in the coming days.
As the probe progresses, the case could have broader implications—not only for the entities under investigation but also for the political narrative in Punjab, where enforcement actions often become flashpoints in the run-up to elections.
