The Punjab and Haryana High Court took a decisive step on Tuesday by instructing the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and local police to apprehend Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker if he fails to turn himself in within a 24-hour timeframe. Chhoker finds himself embroiled in a money laundering case initiated by the ED back in 2023, adding to his legal challenges amid his bid for re-election from the Samalkha constituency in the upcoming state assembly elections.
Known for his close ties to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chhoker's legal predicaments have heightened with numerous criminal cases lodged against him, alongside non-bailable warrants and pending ED actions. Haryana's Advocate General Baldev Raj Mahajan highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the rejection of Chhoker's anticipatory bail plea and the necessity for overdue legal consequences as he actively participates in the electoral process without facing repercussions for alleged wrongdoings. The High Court's directive stands as a significant development in the unfolding story of Chhoker's legal entanglements, underscoring the urgency for compliance with judicial orders to avoid imminent arrest.
Investigations into Chhoker and his son, Sikandar Singh Chhoker, unfolded following an FIR by Gurugram police, implicating them in a real estate fraud scheme that attracted the ED's scrutiny. The intricate web of allegations deepened as Sikandar Singh Chhoker faced ED detention in March 2024 over accusations of multi-crore embezzlement and fraudulent practices targeting homebuyers through falsified construction expenditure claims within affiliated group entities. The court's proactive stance and the cascading legal repercussions underscore the evolving narrative surrounding the Chhokers' legal woes, painting a complex landscape of allegations, investigations, and judicial interventions.