ED raids at Punjab's Lovely University, owned by AAP MP

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple business entities linked to AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal in Punjab as part of a probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), officials said. The Lovely Group is owned by AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, who recently replaced fellow leader Raghav Chadha as the party's Rajya Sabha deputy leader. Ashok Kumar Mittal is the founder and chancellor at LPU and owns the university alongwith his brothers Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal. Raids are also being carried out at sweets shops, lovely autos and a distance education centre owned by the group, along with the homes of owners, which includes Ashok Mittal.
Officials said the searches were carried out at 8-9 locations across Punjab and Gurugram, including Jalandhar and Phagwara. The raids covered business premises, residential properties, and a farmhouse linked to Mittal and his family.Premises associated with his son were also searched, along with locations linked to other family members. 
Shortly after the ED began raids premises linked to the Lovely Group in Punjab, the AAP launched an attack on the BJP-led government, calling the probe agency action a “preparation” ahead of Punjab elections. Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal vowed a strong response to the ED action and said: “Modi ji has started preparations for the elections in Punjab. But the people of Punjab will not tolerate this. They will give a befitting reply to the BJP.” Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the raids. Echoing Arvind Kejriwal, he alleged that the BJP has begun its “preparations” for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, due early next year. In a post on X, Mann said, “BJP begins preparations for Punjab elections. ED raids at the home and university of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal typical Modi style.”