ED's Operation Leads to Arrest of Former Congress MLA Dharam Singh from Samalkha

In a major development from Haryana, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former Congress MLA Dharamsingh Chhoker in a money laundering case. Reports indicate that Chhoker, who represented Samalkha constituency twice, was apprehended from a hotel in Delhi.

According to sources, the case involves money laundering to the tune of ₹1,500 crore. The ED had previously conducted multiple raids at Chhoker's premises in connection with this investigation.

The arrest operation, codenamed "Dhappa," was executed after ED officials received information Sunday night that Chhoker was staying at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Delhi. A team of officials from the Gurugram zone was formed to capture him. When the team arrived at the hotel, Chhoker was taking a walk and couldn't escape due to the crowd. He had been absconding in the ₹1,500 crore money laundering case. 

Just days earlier, the ED had attached his properties worth ₹44.55 crore. Chhoker, considered close to former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is accused through his company Sai Aaina Farms Private Limited (now Mahira Infratech Private Limited) of collecting millions of rupees from people in exchange for homes in Gurugram, but neither delivering the homes nor returning the money. The ED subsequently registered a case against him. 

On April 30, 2024, the ED had also arrested Chhoker's son Sikandar in connection with the case. 

The companies associated with Dharamsingh Chhoker, his son Sikandar, and Vikas—Sai Aaina Farms (now Mahira Infratech Private Limited), Caesar Buildwell Private Limited, and Mahira Buildtek Private Limited—had launched an affordable housing scheme. They promised thousands of buyers homes in Gurugram's Sectors 68, 103, and 104, collecting approximately ₹616.41 crore in return. Despite this, the homes were never delivered. 

It was later discovered that the funds collected from homebuyers were spent for personal gain. The company allegedly used millions of rupees for fake construction costs, expensive jewelry, and weddings. Following complaints, the Gurugram Police had registered a case against Chhoker, and in July 2023, the ED raided Chhoker's residence in Gurugram. 

ED seized all property and offices of his Mahira Homes project in Gurugram during the July 2023 raids on Chhoker's residence and company properties. Additionally, four vehicles—two Fortuners and two Mercedes (including a G-Wagon and a Classic)—along with ₹14.5 lakh in cash and jewelry worth ₹4.5 lakh were confiscated. 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered Chhoker's arrest in the money laundering case just two days before the Assembly election voting in 2024. The court warned that either Dharamsingh should surrender himself, or the police would arrest him. Despite this, Chhoker neither surrendered nor was arrested.

After the Assembly election results, an ED team had arrived at his residence in Samalkha to arrest him, but he wasn't present. After questioning family members, the ED team left after about two hours.

Former MLA Dharam Singh Chokker 's House