ED Files Money-Laundering Case Against J&K Deputy CM's Brother
ED books suspended J&K police inspector Vijay Choudhary under PMLA; Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary alleges selective targeting, says he trusts the judiciary.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money-laundering case against Inspector Vijay Choudhary, the brother of Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. The action comes after the Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier filed an FIR against the suspended police officer for allegedly accumulating assets disproportionate to his known income. The ED's case, filed on Friday, also alleges possession of several benami properties.
Reacting to the development, Deputy CM Choudhary termed the move "selective targeting." He pointed to his brother's record of fighting militancy and surviving militant attacks, saying that instead of being rewarded, he is now being targeted. "But one day, files will be opened, and those responsible will have to answer," he told reporters after inspecting a government hospital in Jammu.
The Deputy CM said he would not be intimidated by the case and expressed full faith in the judiciary. "Any matter concerning his family should be decided by the judiciary rather than being debated by him in public," he said, adding that he would leave the matter to investigating agencies and the court.
In a separate remark, the Deputy CM criticised the BJP, accusing it of seeking Muslim votes during elections but resorting to "Hindu-Muslim politics" once polls are over. He called this approach "unfortunate" for Jammu and Kashmir and the country.