CHANDIGARH: The Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal on Sunday launched a joint agitation demanding the immediate arrest of former AAP minister Laljit Singh Bhullar in connection with the suicide of Warehousing Corporation official Gagandeep Singh Randhawa.
Senior leaders of the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal assembled at the MLA Hostel in Chandigarh and demanded a CBI probe into the suicide case, alleging political pressure and misuse of power by the former minister.
Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation posted at Amritsar, had allegedly committed suicide on March 21 after being humiliated and beaten by Laljit Singh Bhullar and his aides. Randhawa, who was known to be an honest officer, was allegedly being pressured to allot a tender in the name of Bhullar’s father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar.
Punjab Police has registered an FIR in the case and has named Laljit Singh Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar and his personal assistant Dilbagh Singh in the case.
Meanwhile, leaders of opposition parties attempted to march towards the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to lodge their protest, but the Chandigarh Police erected barricades and stopped the protesting leaders from proceeding further.
The family members of the deceased officer have demanded the immediate arrest of the former minister, his father and other accused, alleging that Randhawa was under immense pressure and humiliation before taking the extreme step.
Opposition leaders said that since the case involves a former minister and political influence, the investigation should be handed over to the CBI to ensure a fair and impartial probe. They warned that the agitation would be intensified if the accused were not arrested soon.
The issue has now turned into a major political controversy in Punjab, with opposition parties targeting the AAP government over alleged corruption, political pressure on officials and law and order situation in the state.