Jaipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted day long search at the residence of Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, who was a minister in the previous Congress government in Rajasthan. The search was said to be in connection with the Rs 48000 crore scam in Pearl Agrotech Corporation Limited (PACL), which invests in real estate
The teams of the federal probe agency reached Khachariyawas's residence at around 5 in the morning and the search was continued until the evening.
The ED has not made any official statement about the search activity, but as per sources it was part of nationwide searches conducted by the probe agency on Tuesday.
The action of ED on the former minister of the Congress government turned into a political issue as hundreds of Khachariyawas supporters reached his residence and protested against the BJP government.
Talking to the media outside his residence, Khachariyavas asserted that he had done nothing wrong and had nothing to do with any company.
“They have brought a notice to search the premises. They have not given notice linking it to any company. Premises can be searched anywhere in the country, it is their right. I am neither afraid nor nervous. If there is any issue, I will respond. There are six lawyers from my side” Khachariyawas told reporters.
Accusing BJP of being arrogant, he said that the ED has come to search his house to scare him.
“The BJP is arrogant. It has been in power at the Centre for 11 years, and it is also in power in Rajasthan. I have been speaking against them, and therefore they have taken this action, but I am not going to get scared,” he said, adding that he will continue raising his voice against the government.
Along with supporters, prominent Congress leaders backed their former minister and termed it a political revenge.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in his post on social media platform X that the ED raid at the residence of former minister and Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas is condemnable. On 12 August 2020, the ED interrogated Khachariyawas for 7–8 hours only to harass him for openly opposing the BJP during the attempt to topple the Congress government in Rajasthan in 2020. Because he remains vocal against the BJP government of Rajasthan, the ED has knocked again.
He said that now no one is surprised by such action of central investigating agencies on opposition leaders. These agencies are being completely misused politically, and it is becoming clear among the public that Congress leaders are targeted for political gain.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said that the ED action raises questions on the priorities of the government. The way agencies are being used against opposition leaders is a clear indication that political revenge is being taken. We believe in democratic values and are committed to protecting the values of the Constitution. Congress will stand firmly to raise the rights and voice of the people.
