New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged a detailed chargesheet against former Punjab cabinet minister and AAP leader Sanjeev Arora, accusing him of orchestrating a ₹103 crore fake iPhone export scam. According to the filing, Arora fabricated export consignments to Dubai using counterfeit purchase bills and export paperwork to launder money.

Scheme Mechanics

The prosecution complaint, submitted to a special court in Gurgaon on July 6, alleges that roughly ₹150 crore worth of iPhones were purportedly exported to a Dubai‑based entity that is an investor in Arora’s real‑estate company, Hampton Sky Realty Ltd. Of this amount, about ₹100 crore was presented as "export remittance" while an additional ₹87 crore appeared as IGST and duty‑drawback refunds.

Legal Proceedings and Asset Seizure

Arora has been in judicial custody since his arrest on May 9. A Gurgaon court denied his bail plea, and an appeal is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. ED has attached assets linked to Arora and his firm valued at over ₹55 crore, including bank accounts, fixed deposits, land parcels, commercial premises, and residential apartments across Ludhiana, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh. Notably, an ICICI Bank account bearing Arora’s signature received more than ₹100 crore in alleged export proceeds.

Operational Structure of the Fraud

According to senior ED officials, the "sham export transactions" were executed through fictitious procurement entities, overseas buyers, and a circular fund‑movement mechanism. Two Dubai‑registered firms—Fortbel Telecom FZCO and Dragon Global FZCO—are also under investigation for receiving the iPhone consignments and remitting funds to Arora’s Indian firm. The shell companies involved shared common phone numbers and email IDs, indicating a coordinated operation.

Political and Economic Ramifications

This case underscores the vulnerability of export‑linked tax evasion schemes at the highest echelons of power. As a senior AAP figure, Arora’s alleged misconduct could tarnish the party’s reformist image while reinforcing the message that financial crimes will be pursued aggressively. Analysts suggest that a conviction could serve as a deterrent for other politicians and business leaders who might contemplate similar schemes.