Hooda Aide, Former Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhoker, Arrested By ED In Rs 1,500-Crore Money Laundering Case

On Sunday (4 May), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended former Haryana MLA from the Congress party Dharam Singh Chhoker over his alleged involvement in a money laundering scam valued at Rs 1,500 crore, the Indian Express reported.

Chhoker was arrested at a five-star hotel in New Delhi. The agency had seized his assets, worth Rs 44.55 crore, a few weeks prior to his arrest. 

Chhoker, a close associate of ex-Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is embroiled in a case concerning alleged irregularities in the distribution of flats, houses, and plots by his real estate firms in Gurgaon.

It is claimed that the former MLA and his companies accumulated over Rs 616 crore from investors without fulfilling the agreed allotments. 

An ED official said, as quoted by the Indian Express, “Around 8.30 pm on May 4, intel was received that Dharam Singh Chokker was sitting in a bar at Shangrila Hotel, New Delhi, and partying with his friend. Within half an hour, Navaneet Agrawal, Joint Director, Gurgaon zone, reached the hotel and spotted him in the bar. Later, the officer investigating the case also arrived and informed him about the non-bailable warrants (NBW) issued against Chhoker by a special court in Gurgaon.” 

In an attempt to evade arrest, Chhoker and his bodyguard reportedly tried to flee but were intercepted after a scuffle. During the altercation, Chhoker allegedly resisted and attempted to harm both ED officers and hotel staff.

He was eventually restrained and taken into custody. ED sources noted that during his transport to the agency’s office, Chhoker repeatedly attempted to escape from the vehicle but failed. He faces seven non-bailable warrants.

The ED is also investigating Chhoker's sons, Sikander and Vikas. In March, assets worth Rs 44.55 crore were auctioned, and Rs 96 lakh in deposits were seized. Vikas is on the run and Sikander is on bail.