Arrest under PMLA challenged as illegal in ₹100-crore GST-linked case.

Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora Moves High Court Against ED Arrest.

Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora on Tuesday approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), terming it “illegal and unconstitutional.” Arora was arrested on May 9 in connection with an alleged ₹100-crore GST fraud-linked money laundering case following searches at his Chandigarh residence. His petition seeks the quashing of the remand order passed by a special court in Gurugram that sent him to ED custody till May 16. Appearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Arora’s counsel argued that the arrest violated mandatory safeguards under Section 19 of the PMLA and fundamental rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution. The plea claims no incriminating material was recovered during searches and that the transactions under scrutiny were legitimate, documented export activities. The High Court has adjourned the matter to May 14.