ED summons Punjab BJP state vice president for questioning in $5.76 million bribery case

Chandigarh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken action against senior Punjab BJP leader and Vice-President Arvind Khanna. In connection with the money laundering, the ED has summoned him to appear on January 30.

The case dates back 15 years, alleging that a bribe of USD 5.76 million was paid in 2008 to secure a deal for three aircraft with DRDO in favor of the Brazilian firm.

Arvind Khanna is under investigation by the ED in the Embraer corruption case. The ED filed a charge sheet in 2020, and in a recent charge sheet filed in the CBI court, the Prevention of Corruption Act was invoked under Section 120-B, relating to criminal conspiracy in the investigation.

In June 2023, the CBI filed a chargesheet against arms dealer Arvind Khanna, businessman Anoop Gupta, and lawyer Gautam Khaitan. The accused in the case also initially included Arvind Khanna’s father, Vipin Khanna, who was a defense advisor; however, his name was subsequently removed on the spot.

The case involves a matter of payment through a Singapore company.