Punjab Minister Laljit Bhullar Resigns Amid Suicide Video Scandal
In a dramatic political development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday asked Transport and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar to submit his resignation. This action followed the tragic suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, who left behind a video purportedly blaming the minister for his death.
Suicide Video and Allegations Spark Political Firestorm
The 12-second video, recorded in Punjabi, shows Randhawa stating, "Your friend has consumed poison due to fear of minister Laljit Bhullar. I won't survive." This revelation triggered immediate outrage from opposition parties, who are now demanding Bhullar's arrest and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter.
Bhullar complied with the resignation request but vehemently denied all allegations, labeling them as "completely baseless and false." In a Facebook post, he wrote, "Our party always stands by the truth and supports what is right. Regarding the accusations made against me, I want a proper investigation so that the truth can come out." He added that he resigned to prevent his position from hindering a fair probe.
Opposition Accusations and Family's Plea for Justice
Opposition leaders have launched scathing attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that Randhawa was summoned to Bhullar's residence on March 13 and physically assaulted. He claimed Bhullar forced Randhawa at gunpoint to record a video admitting to accepting a Rs 10 lakh bribe to award warehousing tenders to another party, rather than to Bhullar's father.
Randhawa's family has echoed calls for a CBI investigation. His uncle, Amarjeet Singh, revealed that the family had been under "immense stress" due to threats. "He was a good person. What we know is that he was assaulted and hit on the head. He could not bear this humiliation," Amarjeet stated, alleging that Randhawa had to scatter his family to different locations after receiving threats from gangsters.
Chief Minister's Swift Damage Control Ahead of Elections
With assembly elections less than a year away, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann moved swiftly into damage control mode. He expressed deep sympathy for Randhawa's family and emphasized the need for an impartial investigation. "The reasons for the suicide are a matter of investigation. To ensure an impartial probe, we have asked the minister to resign…. No one should be able to influence the probe," Mann asserted.
He further ordered Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to conduct a thorough and fair inquiry, stating, "Any action that leads to someone's death is not to be tolerated. We did not enter politics or make parties for this purpose. No official should be pushed so much that he gives up his life." Mann confirmed that Bhullar's portfolio would be reassigned soon and appropriate action taken based on the probe's findings.
Historical Context and Ongoing Demands
This incident is not the first controversy involving Bhullar, who is the AAP MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran district. In April 2024, he faced significant backlash and was forced to apologize after making derogatory remarks against specific communities at a political rally. Randhawa, interestingly, had additional charge of the Patti area, adding a layer of complexity to the case.
Opposition parties remain unsatisfied with the resignation, describing it as mere "drama." Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla from Amritsar demanded that a police case be registered against Bhullar and urged authorities to seize CCTV footage from the minister's residence to verify the alleged March 13 incident. Majithia reiterated calls for a CBI probe, suggesting Randhawa's post-mortem be conducted at prestigious institutions like PGI-Chandigarh or AIIMS-Delhi, and urged the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognizance of the case.
The political landscape in Punjab is now intensely focused on this scandal, as investigations unfold and pressure mounts for accountability and justice in the wake of Randhawa's tragic death.
