The Enforcement Directorate has booked Inspector Vijay Choudhary on charges of money laundering, prompting Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary to slam the action as “selective targeting”.

The police officer, against whom the Anti-Corruption Bureau had earlier registered an FIR for allegedly amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, is currently suspended. On Friday, the ED booked him for allegedly possessing several benami assets.

“My brother is someone who fought against militancy and has survived militant attacks,” Deputy CM Choudhary told media after inspecting a government hospital in Jammu. “Instead of being rewarded for his service, he is being targeted. But one day, files will be opened, and those responsible will have to answer.”

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He would not be intimidated by the case, he said, but added: “Any matter concerning his family should be decided by the judiciary rather than being debated by him in public. I would rather leave it to the investigating agencies and court. I have complete faith in my judiciary.”

The deputy CM also criticised the functioning of the BJP and said the party seeks Muslim votes during elections but resorts to “Hindu-Muslim politics” once elections are over, calling it “unfortunate” for Jammu and Kashmir and the country.