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- Published: November 2, 2023 13:14
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday morning searched multiple premises of Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand, creating fresh anxiety & consternation in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ranks.
Notably, the investigating agency was set to question Delhi Chief Minister & AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal today, in connection with the liquor policy scam case. However, Kejriwal skipped the ED summon and rather headed to Madhya Pradesh for addressing poll rallies. Kejriwal, along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann are slated to hold a roadshow in Singrauli region today.
The ED team raided Raaj Kumar Anand’s residence in Civil Lines area and also conducted searches in at least 9 premises linked to him.
According to reports, the ED raids at AAP minister Raaj Kumar Anand’s premises were in connection with alleged customs evasion of more than Rs 7 more.
Reports suggest that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had filed chargesheet against him for false declaration in imports and for alleged custom evasion of more than Rs 7 crore.
#WATCH | ED raid underway at the residence of Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand in Civil Lines area. Searches started early morning today. Raids are underway at 9 premises linked to him. Details awaited pic.twitter.com/2Q0ZuFIjGo
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
Raaj Kumar Anand is AAP MLA from Delhi’s Patel Nagar area. He was allotted big-ticket ministries of Education & health, after Manish Sisodia & Satyendra Jain quit their positions following arrest. However, later, the Education & Health, the two top ministries of AAP govt were handed over to Saurabh Bharadwaj & Atishi Marlena.
Who is Raaj Kumar Anand?
The 57-year-old Raaj Kumar Anand is a first time legislator from Delhi’s Patel Nagar assembly seat. He was elected to Delhi Assembly in February 2020
Mr Anand is another tall leader of Arvind Kejriwal cabinet and has multiple portfolios under his command. Currently, he oversees departments like Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurudwara Elections, and Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
Raaj Kumar Anand has had humble origin and he assiduously worked through the ranks to reach this stage. His LinkedIn profile says that he worked as a child labourer in Aligarh lock factory to meet expenses for early education and then pursued higher education by giving private tuitions.
After completing education, he ventured into business and was started running rexine leather business. A call of conscience made him open Anandpath foundation, where he worked for betterment of underprivileged people and this is how his social service began.
In 2011 anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, he was a key figure and took active role in galvanizing support of masses. Eventually, he joined Kejriwal-led AAP, marking his foray into the realm of politics.
