Opposition Parties Rally for CBI Probe in Punjab Official's Suicide Case
In a rare display of unity, opposition parties in Punjab came together on Sunday to demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death by suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation. The protest also called for the immediate arrest of former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and two other accused individuals.
Massive Protest in Chandigarh
Hundreds of political leaders and workers from the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Communist Party of India (CPI) gathered at the Punjab MLA Hostel Complex in Chandigarh around noon. The demonstration was organized to pressure the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to hand over the case to the CBI and ensure the arrest of Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh, and his personal assistant Dilbagh Singh.
Prominent leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, state BJP president Sunil Jakhar, and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, led the protest. They raised anti-government slogans and faced police action, including the use of water cannons, as they attempted to march towards the Chief Minister's residence.
Police Intervention and Arrests
The Chandigarh Police deployed a large contingent of personnel and vehicles, such as Vajra and Varuna, to prevent the protesters from reaching the CM's residence. Heavy barricades were set up at the entry points of the MLA Hostel Complex. When the protesters tried to break through the barricades, the police resorted to using water cannons to disperse the crowd.
After nearly an hour of attempts to breach the barriers, the leaders and workers were rounded up and taken to the Sector 3 police station. They were released around 3:15 PM after staging a sit-in and continuing to voice their demands against the AAP government.
Key Statements from Opposition Leaders
Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's silence on the matter. "CM Mann was in Amritsar but did not meet the bereaved family of Randhawa. Why this silence... is he a partner in crime with Laljit Singh Bhullar?" he asked.
Sunil Jakhar, state BJP president, announced further protests. "Earlier, the AAP was only looting people... now they have started killing them. We will hold protests at all district headquarters on Monday. Justice is pending till Bhullar is arrested," he stated.
Bikram Singh Majithia, SAD leader, called for transparency. "If the CM is not patronising Laljit Singh Bhullar, he should hand over the probe to the CBI. The former minister, his father, and PA should be arrested immediately," he demanded.
Background of the Case
Gagandeep Singh Randhawa's suicide has sent shockwaves through the state. The opposition alleges that Bhullar and his associates abetted the suicide, though the former minister's whereabouts remain unknown. Sources indicate that Bhullar is not in Punjab, and neither are his father or personal assistant.
In a related development, Randhawa had written a letter to the managing director of the warehousing corporation on March 14, seeking a transfer. Transfer orders to the head office in Chandigarh were issued on March 19, according to a senior government leader defending the administration's actions.
Growing Support and Political Fallout
The protest was planned on Saturday when opposition leaders visited Amritsar to support Randhawa's family. The deceased officer's brother, Varinder Singh Randhawa, participated in the march alongside Majithia.
The AAP government is facing mounting pressure, with several employees' unions, including the Joint Coordination Committee of State Procurement Agencies, extending support to Randhawa's family and threatening to halt work. Additionally, recent incidents, such as the arrest of an AAP Sarpanch with drugs and Randhawa's suicide, have unsettled the party's leadership.
With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reportedly scheduled to leave for Gujarat for four days starting Tuesday, the opposition fears that Bhullar's arrest may be delayed further. The AAP has not commented on Bhullar's location, but a senior party leader assured that "the former minister will soon join the investigation."
This unified opposition movement highlights the escalating political tensions in Punjab, as parties across the spectrum demand accountability and justice in the wake of the tragic suicide.
