The transfer of the Enforcement Directorate’s senior-most officer in Jalandhar has triggered fresh political buzz in Punjab, coming just days after the agency summoned former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his son in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case. The development has drawn sharp attention because of its timing and the political sensitivity surrounding the matter.
Additional Director Ravi Tewari, who had been heading the ED’s Jalandhar unit since September 2023, has been shifted to Chennai. He has been replaced by Additional Director Dinesh Pachauri. Tewari, a 2009-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, was considered the senior-most ED official posted in the region. His transfer soon after the summons were issued is being viewed in political circles as more than a routine administrative move, though there has been no official confirmation linking the two developments.
The ED recently asked Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh to appear before the agency in connection with an alleged FEMA violation linked to foreign asset disclosures. Raninder was scheduled to appear on Thursday, while Amarinder Singh was called in on Friday. However, both failed to attend. Sources confirmed that the former chief minister is currently admitted to a hospital in Mohali for knee surgery, which prevented his appearance.
The investigation against Raninder Singh is not new. He was first summoned in July 2016 and was questioned over alleged fund transfers to Switzerland and the formation of the Jacaranda Trust. He again appeared before the ED in November 2020. The case reportedly stems from findings by the Income Tax Department suggesting that certain overseas assets were not properly disclosed. According to ED sources, the recent summons to Amarinder Singh is connected to this broader probe.
The political reaction was swift. Amarinder Singh, once one of Punjab’s most influential leaders, has largely remained low-profile in recent years. However, he recently gave interviews expressing support for a possible alliance between the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal and hinted at some unease within party ranks. His sudden summons surprised many observers.
Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel remarked that if Amarinder wished to return to the Congress, the party’s high command could consider it. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress leader Pargat Singh alleged that central agencies were being used to suppress political voices. The BJP has not officially commented on these allegations.
Raninder Singh responded publicly after receiving the summons, stating that they are law-abiding citizens and will fully cooperate with investigative agencies. He expressed confidence in the rule of law and said he believes truth and justice will prevail.
With the ED probe continuing and the administrative reshuffle adding another layer of intrigue, the case has once again placed Punjab politics in the spotlight. Observers say the next phase of the investigation will depend on Amarinder Singh’s recovery and appearance before the agency. Until then, the developments are likely to fuel debate over the intersection of law enforcement and politics in the state.