BJP’s Jakhar seeks probe into graft claims in Sanjeev Arora’s companies; he resigns as MD

Hours after Jakhar’s press conference in Chandigarh, Arora announced his resignation as the managing director of his company Hampton Sky Realty Ltd (formerly known as Ritesh Properties and Industries Limited (RPIL)) and eight other companies run by the group.

Arora, a prominent industrialist from Ludhiana and an erstwhile Rajya Sabha member, was inducted into Mann’s cabinet recently as Punjab’s industries minister after he won the Ludhiana West bypoll on AAP ticket.

Arora was the chairman cum managing director (MD) of RPIL, the company with business interests in the real estate, clothing and fashion industry, according to its official website.

In October last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a statement had said that it had conducted raids at the locations related to Arora’s company in Ludhiana for the alleged “misuse of land allotted to his company by Punjab government for industrial purpose but it was instead used to develop a luxury residential project.”

The ED had raided Hampton Homes, a luxury apartments residential society developed by Arora’s firm RPIL on Chandigarh road of Ludhiana, on October 7.

Jakhar while referring to raids by Punjab Vigilance bureau on former SAD leader Gill hours after he had joined the BJP, said that it was “a blatant act of political vengeance”.

Targeting the AAP government, Jakhar said CM Mann should instead “investigate corruption allegations against his minister Arora, for alleged misconduct as a land developer”. Jakhar accused Mann of outsourcing Punjab’s governance to Delhi leaders.

Jakhar said the AAP government, instead of tackling gangsters, was operating like “a political gang itself”. He labeled the action against Gill a “violation of democratic norms”, suggesting the government is intimidating opponents to deter them from joining rival parties or deviating from its agenda. He said that everyone has the right to choose their political path in a democracy.

“CM Mann should remember that a 2016 SEBI ruling had found his minister Sanjeev Arora guilty of misleading shareholders, and the ED had also raided his company’s premises,” said Jakhar.

Referring to AAP’s deceased Ludhiana West MLA Gurpreet Gogi, Jakhar said: “Gogi had raised concerns about Arora’s company converting industrial land into residential colonies.”

He said that it was “clear evidence of wrongdoing”, as “AAP’s own legislators questioned Arora’s actions”. Jakhar said that AAP should register itself as “Aam Aadmi Builder & Developer Pvt. Ltd”, instead of a political party.

Referring to the recently proposed “land pooling policy” of the AAP government, he accused the government of seizing farmers’ fertile land and “now trying to provide a justification for Arora’s misconduct through a June 26, 2025, cabinet decision on an industrial plot conversion policy”.

“The land in Mundian Kalan of Ludhiana was acquired for industrial purposes , which was instead used for building a residential colony —a move that was entirely illegal. The farmers in Mundian Kalan have the right to reclaim their land,” said Jakhar.

“Resigning due to my appointment as cabinet minister” : Arora

Meanwhile, Arora announced that he has resigned as the Managing Director of Hampton Sky Realty Limited, and its “wholly owned subsidiaries due to his election as the MLA followed by his appointment as the Cabinet Minister in Punjab Government.”

“This step has been taken to ensure that I can dedicate my complete focus and energy towards serving the people of Punjab with sincerity, transparency and unwavering commitment,” wrote Arora on X, while posting his resignation letter addressed to the company’s board of directors in Delhi.
“In light of the paramount public interest and constitutional responsibilities not only is it incumbent upon me, but it is even unequivocally untenable for me to continue holding the office of Managing Director in the company,” said Arora in a statement.

Reacting to Arora’s resignation, Jakhar wrote on X: “Guilty conscience resigns before accountability knocks.”