IT raids pastor Narula’s churches in Punjab

: Income tax department conducted raids on the premises linked to pastor Ankur Narula, who runs a ministry church under Pentecostal churches under the name ‘Church of Signs and Wonders’ at Khambra village on Jalandhar-Nakodar road on Tuesday. The IT sleuths are also simultaneously conducting raids at more than a dozen locations in Phillaur and Kapurthala districts linked to Narula. The IT sleuths, accompanied by paramilitary forces, reached the church headquarters in Khambra village in the wee hours on Monday to investigate the alleged complaints of money laundering and fraudulent cash transactions against Narula. The parliamentary forces cordoned off the church headquarters in Khambra vilexit from its premises. Born in a Hindu Khatri family, Narula chose to opt out of his family business of marble and tiles and to follow his faith. From battling drug abuse in college and attempting suicide, he set up the “Church of Sign and Wonders” at Khambra village in 2008, which is now spread over 60 acres. Similar raids were conducted in January also when the IT sleuths cross-verified the financial records for consecutive days. Upset over IT raids, the consortium of Pentecostal churches had formed a new political party (United Punjab Party) and declared Surjit Thapar as its candidate. However, on April 20, they extended their support to AAP’s candidate. The raid is still on till the filing of the report. While the IT sleuths refused to divulge any details about the raids, Narula couldn’t be contacted despite