Days after Rajinder Gupta’s switch from AAP to BJP, Punjab pollution board raids Trident unit: Report
The action came after a political shift on April 24, when seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Gupta, joined the BJP.
- May 1, 2026,
- Updated May 1, 2026 4:30 PM IST
A team of more than 10 officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board raided Trident Group’s Dhaula unit in Barnala district on Thursday evening, days after Padma Shri recipient and Trident Group chairman emeritus Rajinder Gupta switched from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the team arrived in around four vehicles and remained inside the premises till the filing of this report.
The action came after a political shift on April 24, when seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Gupta, joined the BJP. Gupta had taken oath as a Rajya Sabha MP in October last year after the seat fell vacant when AAP’s Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West bypoll, joined the Punjab Cabinet and later resigned from the Upper House.
Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora had earlier claimed that Gupta had returned to the AAP fold, but there was no such confirmation from Gupta. The Dhaula unit has also faced scrutiny in the past. In July 2022, farmers affiliated with BKU (Ugrahan) staged protests alleging water pollution and foul smell from the industrial premises. Trident management had denied the allegations, and no action was taken by the AAP government at the time.
Political tensions have also escalated on the ground, with AAP workers protesting against the MPs who switched sides. Slogans such as “gaddar” were spray-painted on walls outside Gupta’s residence in Ludhiana and his factory in Barnala, the report said. Similar protests were reported outside Lovely Professional University, owned by Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, and at the residence of cricketer-turned-MP Harbhajan Singh on April 25 and 26.
Gupta has had a long association with successive Punjab governments. He served as vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board during both the SAD-BJP government from 2012 to 2017 and the Congress government from 2017 to 2022, a post equivalent to Cabinet rank. After AAP came to power, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Punjab State Economic Policy and Planning Board in June 2022, also a position equivalent to Cabinet rank, and resigned from the post before entering the Rajya Sabha.
The raid on Gupta’s group has come amid heightened political tension following the switch by seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP, with protests on the ground, renewed focus on the Dhaula unit, and the BJP alleging that the action was politically motivated.
FAQs
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Why did the Punjab Pollution Control Board raid Trident Group’s Dhaula unit in Barnala?
A team of more than 10 Punjab Pollution Control Board officials raided the Dhaula unit on Thursday evening. The raid came days after Trident chairman emeritus Rajinder Gupta shifted from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party, leading to political controversy and fresh attention on the unit.
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Who is Rajinder Gupta and why is his political move significant?
Rajinder Gupta is a Padma Shri awardee and chairman emeritus of Trident Group. His move from AAP to BJP is significant because he was among seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs who switched sides, triggering political tension in Punjab.
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What previous allegations were made against Trident Group’s Dhaula unit?
In July 2022, farmers linked to BKU Ugrahan protested against the Dhaula unit, alleging water pollution and foul smell from the premises. Trident management denied the charges, and no action was taken by the Punjab government at that time.
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How have political workers reacted after the AAP MPs joined the BJP?
AAP workers staged protests against the MPs who left the party. Slogans like gaddar were spray-painted outside Rajinder Gupta’s residence and factory, and similar protests were also reported at places linked to Ashok Mittal and Harbhajan Singh.
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Why is the Trident raid being seen as politically sensitive?
The raid happened amid rising tension after seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP. With protests on the ground, earlier pollution allegations resurfacing, and the BJP claiming the move was politically motivated, the action has become a major political issue in Punjab.
A team of more than 10 officials from the Punjab Pollution Control Board raided Trident Group’s Dhaula unit in Barnala district on Thursday evening, days after Padma Shri recipient and Trident Group chairman emeritus Rajinder Gupta switched from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to a report in The Indian Express, the team arrived in around four vehicles and remained inside the premises till the filing of this report.
The action came after a political shift on April 24, when seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Gupta, joined the BJP. Gupta had taken oath as a Rajya Sabha MP in October last year after the seat fell vacant when AAP’s Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West bypoll, joined the Punjab Cabinet and later resigned from the Upper House.
Punjab Industry Minister Sanjeev Arora had earlier claimed that Gupta had returned to the AAP fold, but there was no such confirmation from Gupta. The Dhaula unit has also faced scrutiny in the past. In July 2022, farmers affiliated with BKU (Ugrahan) staged protests alleging water pollution and foul smell from the industrial premises. Trident management had denied the allegations, and no action was taken by the AAP government at the time.
Political tensions have also escalated on the ground, with AAP workers protesting against the MPs who switched sides. Slogans such as “gaddar” were spray-painted on walls outside Gupta’s residence in Ludhiana and his factory in Barnala, the report said. Similar protests were reported outside Lovely Professional University, owned by Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal, and at the residence of cricketer-turned-MP Harbhajan Singh on April 25 and 26.
Gupta has had a long association with successive Punjab governments. He served as vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board during both the SAD-BJP government from 2012 to 2017 and the Congress government from 2017 to 2022, a post equivalent to Cabinet rank. After AAP came to power, he was appointed vice-chairman of the Punjab State Economic Policy and Planning Board in June 2022, also a position equivalent to Cabinet rank, and resigned from the post before entering the Rajya Sabha.
The raid on Gupta’s group has come amid heightened political tension following the switch by seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP, with protests on the ground, renewed focus on the Dhaula unit, and the BJP alleging that the action was politically motivated.