ED arrests 'absconding' ex-Haryana MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker at Delhi hotel

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate arrested "absconding" former Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker from a five-star hotel in Delhi following a brief scuffle, agency officials reported on Monday.

The 61-year-old ex-legislator was taken into custody from the 'Grappa Bar' at the Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi shortly after 9 pm on Sunday.

ED officials stated that they received an "intelligence input" around 8:30 pm on Sunday indicating Chhoker's presence at the hotel bar along with several individuals.

An agency official arrived at the location in response to seven non-bailable warrants (NBWs) issued against Chhoker, along with a proclaimed offender notification from a special PMLA court in Gurugram.

Officials alleged that upon being confronted by the ED officer, Chhoker attempted to rush toward the exit. The officer, along with ED Gurugram zone joint director Navaneet Aggarwal, who was also present at the hotel, pursued and restrained the ex-MLA.

They further claimed that Chhoker tried to strike the ED officers and hotel staff, prompting security personnel to intervene.

The ED subsequently contacted local police, and a beat constable arrived at the scene. Chhoker was then taken to the ED headquarters in Delhi, agency officials said.

Chhoker is set to be produced before a court in Gurugram on Monday, officials said.

The former MLA from the Samalkha assembly seat in Panipat district had lost the Haryana assembly elections last year.

Chhoker, along with his sons Vikas Chhoker (absconding) and Sikandar Chhoker, faces charges of "cheating" more than 1,500 homebuyers and syphoning over Rs 500 crore from them.

Sikandar was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last year and is currently out on bail.

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

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

The allegations against the accused include the submission of "forged" documents, such as fake bank guarantees, to obtain licences for external and internal development works.

"This fraudulent activity was carried out in connection with promised affordable housing projects at Sectors 68, 103 and 104 in Gurugram, and the company collected around Rs 616 crore from 3,700 home buyers.

"However, the company failed to deliver the houses within the promised timelines and misappropriated the funds," the ED had said.

Probe found, it said, 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.

A chargesheet was filed by the ED in April, 2024, against Sikandar Singh Chhoker, companies linked to him like Mahira Infratech Pvt. Ltd. and D S Home Construction Pvt. Ltd., and some others.

(inputs from PTI)