Ludhiana: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at the residence of Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a prominent Congress leader and former minister. The ED team arrived at the residence located near Kochar Market in Ludhiana early in the morning. Simultaneously, investigations are also underway at the residences of several officials from the Food and Supply Department.
As of now, the ED has not released any official statement regarding the operation. Outside the residence of former minister Ashu, a substantial police presence has been deployed. Furthermore, reports indicate that raids have been executed at the premises of Anil Jain, Krishna Lal, and Tailu Ram Thekedar as part of the ongoing investigation.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu, during his tenure as the Minister of Food and Supplies within the Congress government, faced allegations related to a multitude of scams, including irregularities in grain transportation. The Punjab government took action against Ashu by filing cases against him in Ludhiana and various other locations. Subsequently, Ashu spent several months in custody before securing bail. The ongoing investigation by the ED signifies a significant effort to delve into the alleged tender scam, aiming to unearth any irregularities and bring to light any potential financial misconduct.