ED teams raid LPU Campus; AAP MP Ashok Mittal faces FEMA probe

The Enforcement Directorate moves into Punjab. Early Wednesday, its teams enter Lovely Professional University in Phagwara. Officers from Jalandhar and Chandigarh lead the action. They target premises linked to the Lovely Group. The group belongs to Ashok Kumar Mittal, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Next, officials widen the sweep. They check offices and linked business entities. They examine documents, devices, and transaction trails. The agency acts under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Investigators focus on suspected violations tied to cross-border flows. They keep local police out of the operation, an officer confirms on the ground.

Meanwhile, the campus wakes to a tense morning. Security tightens at entry gates. Staff and students gather in small groups. Many record videos on phones. University officials avoid public comments. Some employees say teams move floor by floor and seal select rooms for checks. The activity slows routine work but classes continue in parts of the campus.

At the same time, the political context sharpens the spotlight. Days ago, the party names Mittal as deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. He replaces Raghav Chadha in the role. The timing fuels questions across Punjab and Delhi. Party insiders call the appointment a move to strengthen outreach among education and business stakeholders.

Further, the case draws attention to the Lovely Group’s scale. Mittal founded LPU and serves as its chancellor. He runs the group with his brothers, Ramesh Mittal and Naresh Mittal. The university hosts thousands of students from across India and abroad. It markets itself as a hub for global programs and industry tie-ups. That profile now brings sharper scrutiny to its financial practices.

Then, investigators map money trails. They review foreign remittances, consultancy payments, and vendor contracts. They match records with bank filings and regulatory disclosures. Sources say teams seek clarity on compliance gaps, if any, under FEMA rules. They avoid speculation and stick to document-led verification.

Finally, the story moves beyond one campus. The action signals a broader push on foreign exchange compliance in the education sector. It also sets up a political test for AAP as Parliament sessions approach. For now, the agency continues searches, collects evidence, and prepares the next steps.