ED Raids Target Himachal Leaders Linked to Chief Minister Sukhu Over Alleged Ayushman Bharat Fraud

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raided multiple locations in Himachal Pradesh and neighboring states in connection with an alleged fraud involving fake Ayushman Bharat ID cards. Among those under investigation are two Himachal Pradesh leaders who are closely associated with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Raghubir Singh Bali, also known as R.S. Bali, is the MLA for Nagrota Bagwan and the son of former Himachal minister G.S. Bali. He holds cabinet-rank positions in Sukhu’s government. Rajesh Sharma, the state Congress treasurer, is also under scrutiny.

According to a PTI report, the ED’s raids on Wednesday targeted about 19 locations across Shimla, Kangra, Una, Mandi, and Kullu districts, as well as sites in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Punjab. The investigation is part of a money laundering probe into alleged fraud within the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Among the properties raided were the Fortis Hospital in Kangra, promoted by Bali’s company Himachal Healthcare Pvt Ltd, and the Balaji Hospital in Kangra, linked to Sharma.

R.S. Bali entered electoral politics with his 2022 Assembly win in Nagrota Bagwan, a seat previously held by his late father. His considerable assets made him one of the wealthiest Congress candidates in that election. Bali’s proximity to Sukhu has led to his roles as Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and Vice-Chairman of the Tourism Development Board, both with cabinet-rank status.

A senior Congress leader noted that unlike his father, R.S. Bali was not known for being independent-minded. The late G.S. Bali was known for his contentious relationship with senior Congress figures, including former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Following the raids, R.S. Bali posted on Facebook, stating that he and his family were returning from a short trip and that they would cooperate fully with the investigation. He asked his supporters not to worry, emphasizing that political life often involves such challenges.

Before the recent Lok Sabha elections, R.S. Bali was considered as a potential candidate for the Kangra parliamentary seat but was eventually not chosen. Former Union minister Anand Sharma ran for the seat instead and was defeated.

Rajesh Sharma, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2022 Assembly elections in Dehra, had a recent falling out with Sukhu, accusing him of trying to prevent his nomination for a bypoll. Despite this, Sharma later supported Sukhu’s wife, Kamlesh Thakur, during her campaign for the seat.

The Congress had a successful showing in the bypolls, winning the Dehra and Nalagarh seats, thus solidifying Sukhu’s government against BJP efforts to challenge it.