The investigation into an alleged hawala racket linked to members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Surat is expanding, and police sources indicate that names of senior national-level leaders of the party may come up during the probe. The case is being handled by the Surat crime branch, which is looking into the flow of funds and the wider network behind the operation.

So far, the police have identified two AAP workers, Akash Mishra and Ajay Tiwari, in connection with the alleged hawala transactions. According to officials, the operation is believed to have been managed by party leaders based in Delhi. Investigators are examining whether the money sent to Gujarat was later distributed to social media operators and YouTubers with the aim of influencing public opinion and creating an anti-government narrative.

A police official shared details of Mishra’s background and activities. "Mishra worked with AAP leader Satyendra Jain in the past. He travelled to many states, including Delhi, Haryana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, and was in contact with many senior AAP leaders. The money received by him was to be distributed to social media influencers and YouTubers. They were told to create an anti-government environment and create rifts between communities so that electoral benefit could be gained," the official said.

The income tax department has now joined the investigation to trace the source and movement of the funds. Officials found that Mishra and Tiwari had visited an angadia firm in the Mahidharpura area several times. During each visit, they allegedly collected amounts ranging between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Investigators also noted that both individuals were in touch with AAP leaders in Gujarat. Mishra, who has roots in Delhi, had completed his schooling in Surat.

Gujarat’s deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghvi also made serious allegations regarding the case. He claimed that a personal assistant of a Delhi-based AAP leader had been seen handling large amounts of cash as part of the hawala network. "The Delhi AAP leader's PA has come here and could be seen with bundles of cash as part of the hawala racket. This was going on for one year, with huge amounts received every month through hawala and given to YouTubers to create disturbance among communities. When people come to know the truth in the coming days, they will be shocked," Sanghvi said.

In response, AAP leaders denied the allegations and accused the ruling party of targeting them for political reasons. Gujarat AAP president Isudan Gadhvi addressed the media and rejected the claims made by the BJP. "As the BJP is in fear of losing elections, it will keep conspiring like this till the election. If its leaders had worked for the people, they would not have had to see such days," Gadhvi said.

The current case has drawn attention because of a similar incident that took place in Surat during the 2022 assembly elections. At that time, police had uncovered another alleged hawala operation. In that case, AAP candidate Rajendra Solanki was accused of receiving Rs 20 lakh from Delhi through Ahmedabad. The incident came to light after the cash was stolen from Solanki’s car while it was being transported by his driver. The money had reportedly been collected from an angadia firm. Following the theft, police carried out checks on several such firms. However, AAP had denied all allegations related to that case as well.

As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on uncovering the full network behind the transactions and identifying all individuals involved. With multiple agencies now part of the probe, officials believe more details could emerge in the coming days, possibly linking the case to higher levels within the party.