Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at Lovely Professional University and premises linked to Ashok Kumar Mittal
April 15, 2026: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, along with multiple properties linked to the Lovely Group owned by Ashok Kumar Mittal. The operation, led by teams from Jalandhar and Chandigarh units, also covered business entities including Tetr College of Business and Masters’ Union College of Business in Gurugram, as part of a widening probe.
Officials confirmed that residences and various businesses associated with the group were also searched, including sweets shops, automobile outlets, and a distance education centre. The action is linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Authorities stated that the searches began early in the day and were carried out without assistance from local police.
The raids come shortly after Mittal’s appointment as deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. The development has triggered a political row, with Arvind Kejriwal alleging that the action is politically motivated and linked to upcoming elections in Punjab, while asserting that voters would respond strongly.