A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) arrest of Haryana Congress leader Dharam Singh Chhoker. The plea accuses the ED of illegally arresting and mishandling the political leader, who is an elected representative in Haryana.
On being mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih, the Supreme Court directed the counsel to follow the proper mentioning procedure, as the plea was presented in an unlisted manner.
The ED recently arrested Dharam Singh Chhoker, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Haryana, from a five-star hotel in Delhi. Chhoker, along with his sons, is accused of cheating hundreds of homebuyers and misappropriating funds exceeding ₹500 crores through their real estate company, Mahira Group.
According to the ED, Mahira Infratech Pvt Ltd, a company owned by Chhoker and his family, collected around ₹363 crores from homebuyers for constructing 1,500 flats, which were promised for delivery in 2021-2022. However, the funds were allegedly diverted for personal expenses, advanced as loans to other companies, and used for purchasing various properties.
The ED’s investigation revealed that Chhoker was serving as the director of Mahira Infratech Pvt Ltd and was directly involved in the alleged fraud. Despite receiving summons from a special court, Chhoker remained absconding, leading to the issuance of non-bailable warrants against him.
- "The ED attached and auctioned Chhoker's properties after he failed to appear before the court," the agency stated.
- The agency further revealed that his anticipatory bail plea was rejected, and after a brief scuffle, he was arrested last week.