A team of officers came to these premises in the early hours of Thursday and were still conducting searches until this report was filed. The officials were yet to reveal any information on the reasons behind the raid.

In January, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the government would close Malhotra’s liquor factory at Zira in Ferozepur district after residents sat on a dharna alleging that it was polluting groundwater in several villages and causing air pollution. However, since the government issued no formal notification in this regard, the local people have continued their protest in front of the liquor factory, Malbros International Private Limited. The factory recently filed a fresh petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the closure order.

In February, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Malhotra’s son Gautam in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.