Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Monday demanded an Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI probe against Ashok Kumar Pappi Prashar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ludhiana Central. Majithia accused Prashar of engaging in large-scale corruption, including money laundering by allegedly using the bank account of his personal assistant.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Majithia stated that Prashar used his personal assistant Nikhil Sabharwal as a front man to collect Rs 1.10 crore from 87 individuals who were promised contractual appointments in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, as well as from 39 others who were to be appointed as clerks. The SAD leader alleged that forged lists were created to make candidates believe they had been selected. However, when the scam was exposed, the MLA reportedly told his personal assistant to leave the city or face dire consequences.
Majithia further claimed that on two occasions, the MLA had money deposited into his PA's account and later withdrew the funds through his family members. As an example, he cited that on April 24, 2024, a building inspector from Ludhiana deposited Rs 30 lakh into the PA's account. Following a similar pattern, the MLA transferred Rs 15 lakh into his own account the next day, while Rs 99,000 was moved into his son's account. The remaining amount was allegedly settled by raising fake bills.
The SAD leader also alleged that Prashar demonstrated his closeness with the building inspector by recommending in writing that the inspector's transfer order to Jalandhar be revoked, and he succeeded in doing so. Majithia further claimed that the legislator got a false case registered against Nikhil Sabharwal, who had left his employment two years ago.
According to Majithia, the Ludhiana police are currently conducting raids at Sabharwal's residence. He asserted that Sabharwal cannot get justice under the present dispensation and that only a CBI probe can expose the corruption unleashed by Pappi Prashar.
Nikhil Sabharwal, speaking to the media, said he started working as Pappi Prashar's PA in 2022 on a salary of Rs 13,000 per month. He claimed that the MLA instructed him to find people willing to be appointed in the municipal corporation. When Rs 1.10 crore was collected from these individuals and they did not receive jobs, they began pressuring Sabharwal, forcing him to sell his house for Rs 30 lakh to make partial repayments.
When contacted, Pappi Prashar refuted all allegations. The MLA stated that he would hold a detailed press conference on Tuesday to present the truth. Prashar claimed that Sabharwal never served as his PA but worked as an office assistant, serving water to visitors. He alleged that Sabharwal made a fake PA card and took money from three or four women using his name. Prashar added that those who paid but did not get jobs filed a police complaint against Sabharwal, who even forged the corporation commissioner's signature to produce fake appointment letters.
