The court order came after the expiry of his extended ED custody, following which he was produced before the judge for further proceedings.

Sanjeev Arora, Punjab’s Minister, has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks by a local court in connection with an ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigation into an alleged money laundering case linked to GST fraud in mobile phone trade.

The court order came after the expiry of his extended ED custody, following which he was produced before the judge for further proceedings. The case is part of a wider probe into suspected financial irregularities involving transactions estimated at around 100 crore rupees.

According to investigative officials, the matter involves allegations of complex financial routing through multiple entities, including shell companies, and suspected acquisition of properties through benami arrangements. The Enforcement Directorate has claimed that documents recovered during searches indicate large-scale questionable investments and irregular monetary flows connected to the case.

Arora, however, has denied all allegations. His legal team has argued that the case is not supported by substantive evidence and that the arrest was made without sufficient material at the time. They have challenged the basis of the investigation and termed the charges as unfounded.

The court has listed the next hearing for June 1, which is expected to be conducted through virtual proceedings. Officials also stated that the interrogation phase has been completed and that the agency is now preparing to file a chargesheet in the matter.

The minister was originally arrested on May 9 following ED raids at his Chandigarh residence, after which he was placed under custody that has been extended periodically during the course of the investigation.