MANDI GOBINDGARH — In a dramatic turn of events, former Punjab Transport Minister and AAP MLA Laljit Singh Bhullar was arrested on Monday afternoon in connection with the suicide of a state warehousing official. The arrest took place in Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib district, just two days after Bhullar resigned from the state cabinet.
The case has sent shockwaves through Punjab’s political circles, prompting reactions from the highest levels of both the state and central governments.
The Allegations and Resignation
The controversy centers on the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a District Manager for the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar.
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The Incident: Randhawa allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison on Saturday.
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The Accusation: Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that Bhullar had been pressuring Randhawa to illegally award an FCI tender to the minister’s father, Jagdeep Singh.
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Resignation: Following the outcry and allegations of harassment, Bhullar stepped down from his ministerial post on Saturday.
“Surrender” vs. Arrest
Shortly before police took him into custody, Bhullar took to Facebook to refute claims that he was “absconding.”
“I have complete faith in the law of the country and unwavering trust in the justice system,” Bhullar stated. “I am not running anywhere; I am here in my Punjab… I am voluntarily surrendering myself in Mandi Gobindgarh.”
Despite his claim of a voluntary surrender, a senior police officer confirmed to HT that the MLA from Patti was officially arrested.
Political Fallout
The case has rapidly escalated into a national issue:
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Parliamentary Intervention: Amritsar Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla raised the matter in the Lok Sabha. In response, Union Home Minister Amit Shah indicated that if all Punjab MPs submitted a joint written request, he would immediately order a CBI inquiry.
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CM Mann’s Stance: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the arrest on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing a “law is equal for all” approach. “Protecting anyone is not our party’s agenda… No matter what position they hold or whether they are my relative,” Mann wrote.
Current Status
Bhullar is currently in police custody as investigations continue into the degree of “pressure” applied to the deceased officer. The opposition continues to demand a high-level probe to ensure transparency, given Bhullar’s previous influence as the Transport and Jail Minister.
