ED raids Punjab MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora's 7 premises in NH land fraud
Synopsis
The ED has raided seven premises linked to Punjab MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora over an alleged ₹1 crore+ highway land compensation fraud — but the probe goes deeper, reportedly uncovering a web of benami acquisitions across Central, state, municipal, and church properties in Moga, with the MLA's husband and associates also in the frame.
Key Takeaways
The ED's Chandigarh Zonal Office-I searched seven premises linked to Punjab MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora on 4 November 2026 under the PMLA, 2002 .
The searches recovered incriminating documents, electronic devices , and evidence of alleged benami property acquisition.
The case stems from alleged manipulation of revenue records leading to wrongful disbursement of over ₹1 crore in compensation for land acquired for National Highway No.
The alleged fraud reportedly extended to fraudulent acquisition of government, municipal, and charitable properties across Moga district .
Investigators also flagged alleged acquisition of a residential property in Moga involving suspected unaccounted cash consideration.
The underlying FIR was registered at Police Station Dharamkot, Moga ; Punjab Police has filed a chargesheet against revenue official Navdeep Singh .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 4 November 2026 searched seven premises linked to Amandeep Kaur Arora, a physician and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Moga constituency, Punjab, along with her family members and associates, in connection with an alleged wrongful disbursement of compensation for land acquired for a National Highway. The searches were conducted by the ED's Chandigarh Zonal Office-I under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, officials confirmed on Friday.
What the Searches Uncovered
The raids yielded incriminating documents, electronic devices, and other evidence allegedly pointing to the acquisition of benami properties by the MLA and her associates, according to an official statement from the ED. The material recovered is currently being examined as part of the ongoing money laundering investigation.
Among the premises searched was a hospital-cum-de-addiction centre associated with Arora, the statement noted.
The Underlying FIR and Highway Compensation Fraud
The ED investigation was triggered by an FIR registered at Police Station Dharamkot, District Moga, Punjab, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Navdeep Singh, a Patwari (revenue official), Dilkush Kumari, and others. The FIR alleges manipulation of revenue records pertaining to government land in village Adhraman, District Moga, leading to a wrongful disbursement of compensation exceeding ₹1 crore for land acquired for National Highway No. 754A.
According to the ED, the compensation amount was credited into the bank account of Dilkush Kumari, which was subsequently frozen by the bank. The investigation allegedly revealed the involvement of the MLA, her husband, and other associates in facilitating the diversion and siphoning of these compensation funds. Punjab Police had separately filed a chargesheet against Navdeep Singh in connection with the case.
Scale of Alleged Property Fraud
The ED's probe reportedly uncovered a broader pattern of fraudulent acquisition and transfer of government, municipal, and charitable properties. These allegedly include:
13 marlas of Central government land at Zira Road; seven marlas of Punjab government land at Civil Lines; six marlas of Market Committee land at Railway Road; three kanals and 16 marlas of Municipal Corporation land at Moga Mehla Singh-3; and 52 marlas and eight sarsahis of land belonging to the United Church of Northern India Trust Association.
These properties were allegedly acquired or transferred in favour of the MLA's relatives and associated persons through manipulation of revenue records and execution of property documents, the ED said.
Proceeds of Crime and Unaccounted Cash Allegations
Investigators have reportedly identified proceeds of crime generated through the alleged fraudulent property transactions. The probe has also flagged allegations involving the acquisition of a residential property in Moga using suspected unaccounted cash, according to the ED statement. The agency said further investigation is underway.
This development comes amid a broader national push by central agencies to investigate land acquisition irregularities linked to infrastructure projects, where revenue record manipulation has emerged as a recurring method in several states.
Point of View
State, and even church-owned land. Punjab has seen repeated controversies over land acquisition for national highway projects, and this case suggests that the revenue manipulation playbook goes beyond individual greed into a structured diversion of public funds. The unaccounted cash angle in the Moga residential property could be the thread that links this to a wider network, depending on where the investigation leads.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED raid Punjab MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora's premises?
The ED raided seven premises linked to MLA Amandeep Kaur Arora on 4 November 2026 as part of a money laundering investigation into the alleged wrongful disbursement of over ₹1 crore in compensation for land acquired for National Highway No. 754A in Moga district, Punjab. The probe was triggered by an FIR alleging manipulation of government revenue records.
What was found during the ED searches?
The searches yielded incriminating documents, electronic devices, and other evidence allegedly indicating the acquisition of benami properties by the MLA and her associates. A hospital-cum-de-addiction centre linked to Arora was among the premises covered.
What properties are at the centre of the ED investigation?
The ED's probe reportedly uncovered alleged fraudulent acquisition or transfer of multiple properties, including Central government land at Zira Road, Punjab government land at Civil Lines, Market Committee land at Railway Road, Municipal Corporation land at Moga Mehla Singh-3, and land belonging to the United Church of Northern India Trust Association — all allegedly done through manipulation of revenue records.
Who else is named in the case besides the MLA?
The underlying FIR names Navdeep Singh, a Patwari, and Dilkush Kumari as accused, with Punjab Police having already filed a chargesheet against Singh. The ED investigation has also allegedly revealed involvement of the MLA's husband and other associates in diverting the compensation funds.
What is the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) under which the searches were conducted?
The PMLA, 2002, is a central legislation that empowers the ED to investigate, attach, and prosecute those involved in laundering proceeds of crime. Searches under PMLA can be conducted when the agency has reason to believe that evidence of money laundering or related assets may be found at a premises.
