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Delhi CM Atishi alleges raid at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Delhi residence, ECI denies claims

Row escalated after reports suggested that a vehicle loaded with cash and AAP posters, parked outside Punjab Bhawan, was seized on Wednesday

Reported by:  PTC News Desk  Edited by:  Jasleen Kaur -- January 30th 2025 05:30 PM -- Updated: January 30th 2025 06:13 PM
Delhi CM Atishi alleges raid at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Delhi residence, ECI denies claims

Delhi CM Atishi alleges raid at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Delhi residence, ECI denies claims

PTC Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Thursday alleged that a team from the Delhi Police arrived at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s official residence in Delhi, Kapurthala House, to conduct a raid. However, sources from the Election Commission of India (ECI) have denied any such action, ANI reported.

Slamming the authorities, Atishi criticised the BJP, claiming that "money, shoes, and mattresses are being distributed in broad daylight," yet no action is being taken against them. Her statement comes amid heightened political tensions just a week ahead of the Delhi elections.



The controversy escalated after reports suggested that a vehicle loaded with cash and AAP posters, parked outside Punjab Bhawan, was seized by the authorities on Wednesday. The incident has fueled speculations and political blame games as the electoral battle intensifies.

A team of the Delhi Police is present outside Kapurthala House, where a team of Delhi election officials is present following a complaint about cash distribution was received on cVIGIL app. The Delhi Police says, "On a complaint by RO (Returning Officer) and Flying Squad Team, police presence is on requisition and requirement for the safety of FST."

Meanwhile, Returning Officer OP Pandey said, "We have got a complaint about money distribution. We have to dispose of the complaint in 100 minutes. Our FST had come here which was not allowed to enter. I have come here to request them to let us enter along with a cameraperson. The complaint of money distribution was received on the  cVIGIL app."

About the case

On Wednesday, the Delhi Police registered a case after intercepting a vehicle labelled "Punjab government," which was found carrying cash, liquor, and AAP pamphlets. The vehicle, with a Punjab number plate, was stopped by the Flying Squad team in New Delhi. The Flying Squad is tasked with investigating violations of the Model Code of Conduct, as well as complaints related to liquor, arms, and cash during elections.

However, the Punjab Government denied ownership of the intercepted vehicle, stating that the number plate was forged and linked to a different car not owned by the Punjab Government. The AAP also released a statement, calling the vehicle seizure a "poorly executed and utterly bogus stunt."

According to the Delhi Police, the vehicle was thoroughly searched, revealing cash, multiple liquor bottles, and AAP election material inside. A case was registered at Tilak Marg police station, and legal proceedings were initiated.

Delhi BJP reacts

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva expressed shock over the incident, claiming that Rs 10 lakh in cash, liquor, and AAP election material had been recovered from a vehicle labelled as a Punjab government car. Sachdeva criticised Arvind Kejriwal, stating, "Until now, we thought Arvind Kejriwal institutionalised corruption in Delhi government, polluted Yamuna, and Delhi's air, but today we understand that he has polluted Delhi's political system too." 

In response, the Punjab Government issued a statement, clarifying that the vehicle in question, with registration number PB35AE1342, was a Ford EcoSport model registered three years ago under the name of a person employed at the Army Dental College in Pathankot. The vehicle was found to be owned by a permanent resident of Khadki, Maharashtra. The government also confirmed that the vehicle intercepted by the Delhi Police was a Hyundai Creta, not the Ford EcoSport.

Further investigation revealed that the registration plate of the seized vehicle did not feature the High Security Registration Plate (HSRP), a mandatory requirement for all vehicles, indicating that it was a fake plate.

- With inputs from agencies

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