Enforcement Directorate Searches Lovely Group Locations in Punjab Over FEMA Probe

The Delhi team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive searches on Wednesday across multiple premises associated with the Lovely Group in Punjab’s Jalandhar and Phagwara. The action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The Lovely Group is headed by Ashok Mittal, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who was recently appointed as the Deputy Leader of the party in the Upper House. According to officials, the raids are being carried out simultaneously at nearly all major establishments linked to the group. These include Lovely Professional University (LPU), Lovely Autos, Lovely Sweets, and the Lovely Distance Education Centre. In addition, searches are being conducted at residential and office premises associated with Mittal’s family members, including his brothers Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal. Ashok Mittal is also the Founder Chancellor of LPU. ED officials, accompanied by central forces, arrived from Delhi early in the morning and initiated coordinated searches across the identified locations. The development has triggered a sharp political response. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann alleged that the raids signal the beginning of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. In a statement shared on social media, Mann suggested that the action reflects a pattern of political targeting. Mann further remarked that such actions indicate the BJP has effectively sounded the poll bugle in Punjab. He also reiterated his government’s previous criticisms of the party, including allegations of attempts to divide people along communal lines and disputes over pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues amounting to ₹9,000 crore. Meanwhile, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal stated that the people of Punjab would not tolerate the use of central agencies to target party leaders. He asserted that the public would respond decisively to such actions. The ED has not yet issued a detailed public statement regarding the outcome of the raids, and investigations are ongoing.