Punjab ED raids: Ravneet Bittu claims 'Punjab minister' fled abroad amid searches at nephew's residence
PTC News Desk: The searches by the Enforcement Directorate across Punjab has triggered a political storm in the state with the BJP leader Ravneet Bittu alleging that Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian had fled the country following raids at his nephew's residence.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) search at the Ludhiana residence of Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian’s nephew concluded at around 2:30 am.
Also Read: GMADA ED raids: High court appoints warrant officer to monitor searches on Punjab’s plea
However, Bittu’s claim has not been independently verified. Attempts were also made to contact Minister Mundian for his response, but his phone was reportedly switched off since the evening.
The ED conducted a search at the minister’s nephew’s house in Sahnewal on Wednesday. According to reports, the action was part of an investigation into an alleged money-laundering case linked to GMADA.
The searches were reportedly carried out at several locations across Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi.
One Punjab Cabinet Minister has fled the country✈️????????
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦਾ ਇਕ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੇਸ਼ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਤਿੱਤਰ ✈️????????@ANI @ians_india @News18Punjab @ZeePunjabHH @dailyajitnews @JagbaniOnline @ndtvindia@RozanaSpokesman@PTribuneOnline @punjabkesari@RepublicTV @ndtv@IndiaToday @aajtak@ZeeNews… — Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) September 23, 2026
Mundian is the Punjab minister for Housing and Urban Development, while GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) comes under this department. Reports have linked the ED investigation to alleged financial irregularities involving GMADA.
Searches continued for several hours
The ED team reached the minister’s nephew’s residence in Sahnewal at around 2:30 pm and continued the search for several hours. Police personnel were also present at the location during the operation.
Media reports have identified the minister’s nephew as Gurpreet Singh Prince.
So far, the ED has not officially announced any arrest of Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian or named him as an accused in the case.
Warrant Officer appointed
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has appointed a warrant officer to monitor the ongoing Enforcement Directorate’s search and seizure operations in Punjab. The court has also directed the officer to submit a status report by 2 pm on Thursday.
As per the high court's direction, the Warrant Officer can go and visit the site anytime. The matter was taken up during a special hearing before the Bench of Justice Sanjay Vashisth, following the Punjab Government’s plea seeking urgent judicial intervention. The proceedings continuing till past 1 am.
ED raids enters third day
The ED operation at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) headquarters in Phase 8 entered its third day on Thursday. The searches, which began on Tuesday morning, had continued through the night, with several officials and members of the investigating team remaining inside the building.
The ED’s extended presence at the GMADA office has drawn attention in Mohali, with the agency continuing to examine official records as part of its investigation.
- PTC NEWS
