Jalandhar, Feb 13: The Enforcement Directorate has overhauled its Jalandhar leadership, appointing Dinesh Pachauri as the new Additional Director. He takes over from Ravi Tewari, who has been reassigned to Chennai just as the agency’s probe into former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh reaches a critical juncture.
The leadership change follows the issuance of summons to the senior BJP leader and his son for questioning related to foreign asset disclosures. While the ED had requested their presence on Thursday and Friday, the appearances did not take place. Officials noted that the former Chief Minister’s ongoing medical treatment for a knee ailment was the reason for the delay.
The investigation originates from findings by the Income Tax Department concerning assets allegedly acquired abroad. Raninder Singh had previously been questioned in 2016 and 2020 regarding the creation of the Jacaranda Trust and transactions involving Swiss accounts.
Political reactions to the ED’s move have been swift. Congress leader Pargat Singh noted that the action appeared to be an attempt to muzzle political voices using central agencies. Meanwhile, Punjab Affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel mentioned that the Congress high command might consider a return for Amarinder if he sought to rejoin his former party. Despite the transfer of the supervising officer, agency sources said the investigation into the FEMA violations remains active.
