24-05-2025
AAP MLA Raman Arora remanded to vigilance bureau custody for 5 days
Jalandhar: AAP Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora was remanded to vigilance bureau (VB) custody for five days by a local court on Saturday. This was for questioning and corroboration of allegations that emerged during the probe following the arrest of Jalandhar municipal corporation town planner, ATP Sukhdev Vashisht.
Meanwhile, Arora's counsel, advocate Darshan Singh Dyal, contested VB's claims and allegations in court, stating that Arora was a victim of political vendetta and that the circumstances reflected the same.
"Arora told me that recently he was unhappy with his party's policies, which apparently angered his party. There were a few reports in the media that Arora could join the BJP. It seems that such reports angered his party bosses and the govt, and they withdrew his entire security and then framed him out of vendetta," Dyal said.
Dyal also mentioned that VB argued they recovered one kg of jewellery in gold and silver and cash worth Rs 6 lakh. "We argued that all these assets were declared when Arora filed his nomination papers for the assembly election, and this inference could not be drawn that he got these through gratification," he said.
He also said the VB told the court that four files pertaining to building plans were also recovered from his home.
"We argued that according to VB's own claims, they recovered the files from Vashisht, and it is possible that they could plant these on him," Dyal said.
After arresting Arora on Friday, VB claimed that a unique modus operandi was being followed by the arrested ATP in connivance with Arora for extorting money from the people of the city and indulging in corruption. The arrested ATP, at the behest and in consultation with MLA Raman Arora, would identify constructed or under-construction buildings, both commercial and residential, and serve them notices for alleged violations.
When the building owners, or their representatives, approached the official concerned, he would direct them to the said MLA. The said MLA would then settle the matter by taking illegal gratification. Upon receiving an affirmative message from the said MLA, the files would be consigned by the accused ATP without initiating any action.
