The ED has arrested Bhupinder Singh Honey, nephew of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, in a money laundering case pertaining to alleged illegal sand mining in the border state, said officials.
They said he booked under the relevant provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) last night. He is likely to be produced later in the day before a special court at Mohali . Bhupinder Honey is the son of Channi’s sister-in-law. On January 18, the ED raided his premises and claimed to have seized about RS 10 crore cash.
The officials said that Bhupinder Honey had called up for the investigation but he did not appear before ED officials in the first instance. But when he pressurised a bit, he appeared before the officials in the second instance around 3 pm yesterday. During investigation, Honey has cited about his ill health and he failed to answer the questions of ED officials. He had taken to civil hospital Jalandhar for the medical examination at 1 pm. In medical examination, he has found to be perfectly fit as his reports came normal. After which the ED took him to the office and locked him in the Barrack.
As per source, the ED officials have asked the following questions to Bhupinder Singh Honey.
1. To whom this Money belongs?
2. Does he manage the Sand mining work on behalf of his Uncle?
3. Does this Money belong to his Uncle?
Honey has been repeatedly asked these questions. But they won’t get any satisfactory answer, said officials.
It is pertinent to mention that the CM Channi's Nephew has arrested just before the announcement of Congress CM face in Punjab. The Congress is slated to announce the CM face of the Congress in Punjab on February 6. Navjot Singh Sidhu and Charanjit Singh Channi are the top contenders in the race. Although, Channi is leading in the race of CM face of Punjab Congress but it seems that this arrest may hamper his claim for the CM post.