Jalandhar (National Times): In a major development that has shaken Punjab’s political landscape, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Raman Arora has been arrested by the state Vigilance Bureau on corruption charges following an early morning raid at his premises. Arora, the sitting MLA from Jalandhar Central, is accused of orchestrating a bribery racket involving the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation.
The arrest follows damning allegations that Arora used municipal officials to issue bogus notices to unsuspecting residents under false pretenses. According to investigators, the notices were then retracted after citizens paid bribes, with the MLA reportedly acting as both the architect and the fixer of this extortion scheme.
The political fallout was swift. While AAP leaders reiterated their commitment to clean governance, opposition parties seized the moment to criticize the ruling party, alleging that systemic corruption runs deeper than the Mann government is willing to admit. The BJP and Congress have both demanded a wider probe into the functioning of AAP-led civic bodies.
Raman Arora, once seen as a rising face in the party, now faces serious charges that could end his political career. Legal proceedings are expected to begin shortly, with the Vigilance Bureau likely to seek further custody for interrogation.
The arrest follows a broader anti-corruption campaign launched by CM Mann, who has repeatedly declared that no one, regardless of stature or affiliation, will be shielded from accountability. This marks the first major arrest of a sitting AAP MLA under Mann’s administration and could serve as a turning point in Punjab politics.
