Ex Punjab Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar Arrested Over Harassment Allegations Linked to Suicide
Arrest follows suicide video alleging harassment by former minister.
Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has been arrested, two days after a state warehousing official died by suicide, allegedly naming him in a video before his death. The development follows directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said strict action would be taken irrespective of position or influence. Bhullar, who had earlier resigned, confirmed on social media that he had surrendered.
The case centres around the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar. Randhawa allegedly died by suicide on March 21 after consuming poison. Before his death, he recorded a brief video claiming he acted out of fear of Bhullar.
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According to the victim’s family and union leaders, the incident is linked to alleged pressure over warehouse tenders. Bhullar is accused of forcing Randhawa to approve contracts in his father’s name despite not meeting technical criteria. When the officer refused, he was allegedly summoned, assaulted, and coerced into recording a false confession related to a ₹10 lakh bribe.
Following the video’s circulation, outrage spread across the state, prompting swift government action. An FIR was registered against Bhullar and his father under relevant sections of the IPC, and the matter was handed over for investigation by senior officials.
The case has triggered strong political reactions, with opposition parties targeting the government over governance and accountability. Meanwhile, leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party have defended the action taken, stating that the law is being applied equally and the government stands with the victim’s family.
The incident has once again brought scrutiny on political accountability in Punjab, with investigations ongoing to determine the full sequence of events and establish culpability.
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