Chandigarh: Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Thursday alleged that Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials pressured his relatives during a search at his nephew’s residence in Ludhiana and asked them to persuade him to leave his political party.
Mundian made the allegations while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh alongside his nephew, Gurpreet Singh, also known as Prince.
According to Mundian, an ED team reached the Ludhiana residence at around 11 am and continued the search until approximately 3 am. He claimed that the officials subjected members of the family to difficulties during the operation.
Mundian alleged that a three-year-old girl was not allowed to eat during the search and that a month-old infant, along with a pregnant woman, was made to remain standing for extended periods.
Mundian Alleges Pressure On Family
Mundian further alleged that ED officials repeatedly insisted that his relatives ask him to change his political affiliation.
He also made an allegation about the conduct of some ED officials, claiming that they appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the search. The allegations have not been independently verified.
Mundian’s nephew Gurpreet Singh was present during the press conference as the minister described the circumstances surrounding the ED operation at his residence.
Mundian Says Nothing Was Recovered
The Punjab minister claimed that the ED team did not recover anything from Prince’s residence during the search.
He did not provide details of any documents, electronic devices or other material that may have been examined by the agency during the operation.
The ED has not been quoted in the statement on the allegations made by Mundian.
Minister Takes Dig At Ravneet Bittu
Mundian also took a political swipe at BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu over his reported remarks that the minister had left for the United States.
Mundian said he was addressing the press conference from Punjab and not the US. Taking a jibe at Bittu, he said the BJP leader had effectively become a “travel agent” and congratulated him on what he described as his new role.
The allegations and political claims made during the press conference come amid an ongoing political confrontation in Punjab, with the ED’s actions drawing criticism from the ruling party.
