In a significant development, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Gurdaspur, Anupreet Kaur Randhawa, was arrested by the Tarn Taran police from her official residence early Saturday morning. The arrest is in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for land compensation under a highway project.
Surendra Lamba, senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Tarn Taran, confirmed that a police team conducted the operation and took the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer into custody. Randhawa, a 2012-batch PCS officer, faces accusations of misappropriating funds totaling Rs 1.63 crore. These funds were intended for land acquisition under the National Highway-54, which connects Jammu to Rajasthan via Amritsar and Bathinda. The investigation into the case is currently underway.
Details of the Alleged Scam
The alleged scam dates back to 2019 when Randhawa was serving as the SDM of Patti and was acting as the competent authority for land acquisition. According to police investigations, Rs 1.63 crore in compensation funds was fraudulently transferred to five individuals whose land had not been acquired for the highway project.
Following an inquiry, an FIR was registered against Randhawa and five others on September 5, 2019. The police revealed that the former SDM of Patti, Navraj Singh Brar, had lodged a complaint with the then deputy commissioner, Pradeep Sabharwal, regarding the alleged embezzlement. The complaint stated that government compensation released for land acquisition between January 9, 2018, and February 11, 2019, was allegedly diverted into the bank accounts of five ineligible beneficiaries.
Additional Cases and Personal Controversies
In another case registered in 2021, Randhawa and her brother, Sandeep Singh, were booked for allegedly misappropriating Rs 88 lakh. Apart from the financial allegations, Randhawa has also been involved in personal controversies. She had previously filed a complaint against her husband, former hockey player Bachitar Singh, accusing him of domestic violence and issuing death threats. Bachitar Singh was subsequently arrested in connection with that case.
The police continue to investigate the matter, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses.
