The Punjab Vigilance Bureau late Friday night arrested Mahesh Makhija, a close associate of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raman Arora, in connection with an ongoing corruption case. Makhija was detained from a relative’s factory in Phagwara and produced before a local court at 10:10 pm.
Following a heated debate between counsels, the Vigilance Bureau requested a seven-day custodial remand, but the court granted four days of remand for further interrogation. During the search of Makhija’s residence, officials recovered several important documents believed to be linked to the case.
The bureau informed the court that questioning Makhija could provide critical information regarding properties and other illegal activities associated with the case.
On the same day, the Vigilance team attempted to arrest another close aide of MLA Arora in Ranka Bazaar; however, the individual had already absconded. The bureau has since begun questioning the aide’s relatives and recovered lakhs of rupees in cash and documents from the spot.
Additionally, Building Inspector Harpreet Kaur was also arrested in connection with the case. Both Kaur and MLA Raman Arora underwent medical examinations at Jalandhar Civil Hospital late Friday night.
According to court documents, MLA Arora, his son Rajan Arora, and Mahesh Makhija have been named under charges framed under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Sources revealed that during his custodial interrogation, MLA Arora admitted that his son managed operations related to the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, including land and property dealings.
The ongoing probe has reportedly uncovered properties worth crores allegedly purchased in the names of relatives and family friends. The Vigilance Bureau has deployed seven teams to further investigate the matter, including reviewing CCTV footage to trace three missing bags believed to be connected to the case.
The investigation is underway as theauthorities intensify efforts to dismantle the alleged corruption network.
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