Former Punjab Transport Minister Arrested in Official Suicide Case
Amritsar police on Monday arrested former Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The arrest is directly connected to the tragic suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, who served as the Amritsar district manager of the state warehousing corporation. Bhullar is scheduled to be produced in court on Tuesday, marking a significant development in this high-profile case.
Political Turmoil and Parliamentary Echoes
The arrest unfolded against a backdrop of intense political pressure and public outcry. The issue resonated in Parliament on Monday when Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla raised the matter in the Lok Sabha. Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded with an assurance that if Punjab MPs submitted a collective written request, the central government would consider ordering a CBI inquiry into the officer's death.
Pressure had been mounting on the state government as Randhawa's family had announced they would not permit the post-mortem examination or cremation until Bhullar was arrested. Following his detention, the family agreed to allow the postmortem procedure to proceed.
Controversy Surrounding the Arrest
Bhullar's arrest itself was not without controversy. The former minister claimed on social media in the afternoon that he had voluntarily surrendered to authorities. However, DSP Amloh Gurdeep Singh stated that Bhullar was arrested by police and that he was not aware of any social media posts regarding surrender. It remains unclear whether the post on Bhullar's social media handle appeared before or after he was taken into custody.
Chief Minister's Firm Stance
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who had demanded Bhullar's resignation within hours of Randhawa's suicide on Saturday, reiterated on Monday that anyone who violates the law will face strict action regardless of their position, influence, or personal connections. In a statement on X, Mann emphasized that protecting anyone from legal consequences is not his party's agenda and pointedly stressed a strict prohibition on "cash and special requests."
"For me, the entire Punjab is one family," Mann declared, underscoring his commitment to impartial justice.
Political Reactions and Comparisons
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal commented on the situation, stating: "When it comes to justice, AAP doesn't hesitate to take action even against its own minister, whereas BJP sacrifices justice to protect its own. When serious allegations were made against a minister in Punjab, AAP government acted without delay or bias, not only removing him from his post but also arresting him." Kejriwal contrasted this with how he characterized the BJP's handling of similar allegations in Haryana.
The Allegations and Evidence
Bhullar was wanted for allegedly abetting the suicide of Randhawa, who had left behind a video alleging that the then-minister had been pressuring him to award a contract to his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar. The First Information Report names Bhullar, his father, and personal assistant Dilbagh Singh.
Another video clip has emerged purportedly showing Randhawa's final moments. In the footage, he is seen walking in the courtyard of his house, appearing deep in thought, before suddenly stopping, consuming something, and drinking water immediately afterward. Following this, he recorded another video on his mobile phone, stating: "Friends, I have consumed sulphas. Harassed by minister Laljit Bhullar, I will not survive now."
Family's Grief and Demands
The suicide triggered a political storm across Punjab. Randhawa's wife Upinder Kaur had declared she would not allow an autopsy until Laljit Bhullar and his father Sukhdev Bhullar were both arrested. She gave the government a 24-hour ultimatum for the arrests, threatening to sit on dharna on the road with her two daughters and son if her demands were not met.
On Monday, one of the daughters, Seerat Kaur, revealed she had not yet seen her father's body and demanded that Bhullar be not only arrested but held without bail, reflecting the family's deep anguish and determination for justice.
Bhullar's Social Media Statement
As police moved in on Monday, Bhullar posted on Facebook that he would surrender to authorities. "Rumours were being spread that I had run away. There is no truth to it. I will never run from the truth. I have full faith in the law of the country and have unshakable faith in the justice system. I am in my Punjab. Believing in truth and justice, I am surrendering at Mandi Gobindgarh," Bhullar wrote in his social media post.
Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Corruption
Chief Minister Mann emphasized his government's approach: "Aam Aadmi Party has a zero-tolerance policy against corruption. If even our own minister is involved in such acts, action will be taken against him as well. This is not our first case; even earlier in Delhi, our party has taken such strict action. If someone has done wrong and forced another person to take their life, it is a matter of investigation. Whether it is our minister or any official, the law is the same for everyone, and the law is taking its course."
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings begin and political ramifications unfold across Punjab's political landscape.
