ED arrests wanted former Haryana MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker following a scuffle

New Delhi, May 5

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested absconding former Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker from a 5-star hotel in Delhi following scuffle. 

Based on an intelligence input was received by them that Chhoker was present at Grappa Bar Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi, ED arrested him. 

The officials said that Chhoker, on being confronted by the ED officer, started rushing towards the exit. It turned into a cat and mouse chase. 

Zone joint director Navaneet Aggarwal, who was also present in the hotel, chased the ex-MLA and nabbed him. 

Chhoker allegedly tried to hit the ED officers and the hotel staff even as the security personnel present around were called in, officials informed. 

The ED called up the local police and soon a beat constable arrived and Chhoker was taken to the ED headquarters in Delhi, officials further added. 

The money laundering case stems from a Gurugram Police FIR filed against Sai Aaina Farms and associated companies.

The allegations against the accused include submission of “forged” documents, including fake bank guarantees, to obtain licenses for external and internal development works.

This fraudulent activity was carried out in connection with promised affordable housing projects at Sector 68, 103 and 104 in Gurugram and the company collected around Rs 616 crore from 3,700 home buyers. The company failed to deliver the houses within the promised timelines and misappropriated. 

As per the case details, Chhoker, his sons Vikas Chhoker (absconding) and Sikandar Chhoker face charges of “cheating” more than 1,500 homebuyers and siphoning over Rs 500 crore funds from them.

Sikandar was arrested by the ED last year and he is currently out on jail.

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court has issued multiple non-bailable warrants against Dharam Singh Chhoker and Vikas Chhoker. The agency had issued a proclamation against them and directed them to appear before the court on May 19, the ED had said in March.

ED's investigation showed that funds collected from homebuyers were diverted for personal gains by the company’s directors and promoters even as some of the money was transferred to other group entities as loans which remained outstanding for years.