In a dramatic turn of events, Dharam Singh Chhoker, the Congress leader and former legislator from Samalkha constituency in Haryana, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday. The arrest followed a specific tip-off that Chhoker was seen in the bar of the Shangri-La Hotel in New Delhi.
As part of a special operation codenamed ‘Dhappa’, the ED team apprehended Chhoker after he attempted to flee the scene. This marks a significant development in the investigation into Sai Aaina Farms Private Limited and Mahira Homes, two companies accused of cheating, fraud, and misappropriation of funds. These companies had promised residential flats under the Deen Dayal Awas Yojana scheme, attracting investments from approximately 1,500 people.
The investigation revealed that around Rs500 crore from these investors was allegedly diverted for unauthorized purposes. The ED responded by registering a money laundering case against Dharam Singh Chhoker and his son Sikandar Singh Chhoker, who was taken into custody on April 30. Both father and son had repeatedly ignored summons from the ED for questioning.
After several failed attempts, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a non-bailable warrant against Dharam Singh Chhoker, which he failed to comply with.
Dharam Singh Chhoker is known to be an influential figure in Haryana politics and is believed to have close ties with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana.