Thu Jan 30 13:42:03 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Police Raid Punjab CM’s Delhi Residence Amidst Election Allegations

**NEW DELHI, January 30, 2025** – A joint team of Delhi Police and Election Commission officials conducted a search of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Delhi residence on Thursday evening. The raid, which took place less than a week before the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5th, stemmed from a complaint alleging the distribution of money.

The officials, who were initially denied entry to Kapurthala House, Mann’s residence, eventually gained access after a delay of approximately 90 minutes. The search was reportedly video-recorded. The complaint was filed via the cVIGIL mobile app, according to Returning Officer OP Pandey for the New Delhi constituency. Pandey stated the team was required to investigate the complaint within 100 minutes of its receipt.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), reacted angrily to the raid. Mann accused the Delhi Police and Election Commission of unfairly targeting Punjabis at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal echoed this sentiment, questioning why the raid was focused on Mann while allegedly ignoring similar accusations against BJP members. AAP’s Atishi also claimed the Election Commission had ignored numerous BJP violations, citing a letter she sent alleging large-scale distribution of money and alcohol in her constituency, along with threats against residents.

The specific details of the complaint remain unclear, but it is reportedly linked to the seizure of a car near Punjab Bhavan earlier this week. This car, initially thought to be a government vehicle due to its sticker, contained approximately Rs 8 lakh in cash, alcohol, and AAP pamphlets. The Punjab government has denied ownership of the vehicle. While the car initially described in reports was a Ford EcoSport, the vehicle in police custody is a Hyundai Creta. Delhi Police have registered a case in this matter.

The Delhi Assembly elections are expected to be closely contested between the AAP and the BJP. The AAP is seeking a third consecutive victory, while the BJP is aggressively campaigning. Recent controversies, including accusations of the Haryana government poisoning the Yamuna River water supply to Delhi, have further fueled tensions between the two parties.

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