Laljit Singh Bhullar, a former Punjab minister, has been arrested in connection with the alleged suicide of a Punjab State Warehousing Corporation official, following mounting pressure from the victim’s family and a rapidly escalating political controversy in the state.
The deceased, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, served as a district manager in Amritsar and reportedly died after consuming poison early Saturday. A video that surfaced after his death allegedly shows him accusing Bhullar of harassment and stating that he took the extreme step out of fear. A separate CCTV clip is also said to show him consuming the substance, adding to the seriousness of the allegations.
The arrest came after Randhawa’s family issued a strong ultimatum to the Punjab government, warning of protests if immediate action was not taken. His wife, Upinder Kaur, stated that she would take to the streets with her children if Bhullar was not arrested. The family also refused to allow post-mortem and cremation proceedings until action was initiated, significantly increasing pressure on the authorities.
In her complaint, Kaur alleged that her husband had been under continuous pressure to award a warehouse tender to Bhullar’s father, Sukhdev Singh Bhullar. She claimed that Bhullar, along with his father and personal assistant Dilbag Singh, threatened serious consequences if the tender was not granted. She further alleged that Randhawa was called to Bhullar’s residence in Patti on March 13, where he was humiliated, assaulted, and forced at gunpoint to admit to taking money in connection with another tender.
Based on these allegations, Punjab Police registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including abetment of suicide, criminal intimidation, and common intention. Bhullar, who is an MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran, has denied all allegations, describing them as baseless.
Before his arrest, Bhullar released a statement asserting his faith in the legal system and denying reports that he had absconded. He stated that he was not evading the law and would cooperate with the investigation, adding that he was surrendering voluntarily while maintaining his innocence.
The case has triggered significant political fallout. Bhagwant Mann ordered an impartial probe into the matter and sought Bhullar’s resignation, which was accepted soon after. The issue also reached Parliament, where Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla raised concerns, alleging that pressure from Bhullar contributed to the official’s death and highlighting challenges faced by government officers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that a CBI inquiry could be initiated if there is a joint request from Punjab MPs. Meanwhile, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar claimed that the arrest was influenced by pressure from the Centre, suggesting that the possibility of a central investigation forced the state government to act.
As the investigation continues, the case has evolved into a major political and administrative issue, raising concerns about alleged pressure on officials, accountability in governance, and the need for a transparent and impartial inquiry.
