Punjab AAP MLA Raman Arora Arrested On Corruption Charges (image-Facebook/Raman Arora)
Punjab: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raman Arora was arrested on Friday following a raid at his residence by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in connection with mounting allegations of corruption and extortion linked to his role in the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation.
Arora, 54, who represents the Jalandhar Central constituency, was inside his home when the raid began. Vigilance officials detained him after hours of questioning regarding multiple complaints that accused him of accepting bribes and threatening residents using fake notices to extort money in exchange for settling them.
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Adding fuel to the controversy were recent reports that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had received several complaints alleging that Arora misused his position to demand bribes for resolving civic issues.
The state government had abruptly withdrawn Arora’s unusually large security detail—reportedly comprising 14 gunmen—nearly ten days ago. The move raised suspicions about his standing in the party and signalled a loss of favour with the leadership. Opposition leaders publicly celebrated the withdrawal of his security, with some even distributing sweets, citing it as a victory against corruption.
The arrest comes amid growing internal dissent within AAP, with party insiders indicating that Arora had been increasingly sidelined. Reports suggested that Deepak Bali, another AAP leader with close ties to senior Delhi-based party figures, had become more active in Arora’s constituency, further undermining the MLA’s influence.
Arora, however, has denied all allegations. In a recent statement, he distanced himself from Assistant Town Planner Sukhdev Vashishth, who was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on May 15. He claimed he had no links to Vashishth, who was arrested on May 15.
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Arora’s increasing proximity to BJP leaders has also raised eyebrows within AAP ranks, further contributing to speculation about his loyalty with the AAP.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has yet to issue a formal charge sheet, but investigations are expected to continue.
