Congress Leaders Demand CBI Probe After Punjab Official's Suicide, Allege Minister's Role
In a significant development, Congress leaders in Punjab have escalated demands for a thorough investigation into the tragic death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager at the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, who died by suicide. On Saturday, a delegation led by Partap Singh Bajwa, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab assembly, along with Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, MP Gurpreet Aujla, former deputy chief minister O P Soni, and other Congress figures, visited the bereaved family in Chandigarh to express grief and solidarity.
Allegations of Harassment and Coercion
During the meeting, Bajwa highlighted that the circumstances surrounding Gagandeep Singh Randhawa's death are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions that cannot be overlooked. He emphasized that the family deserves justice, and accountability must be ensured at all costs. According to reports, serious allegations have emerged against AAP minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, including claims of physical assault, coercion, and sustained harassment. It is alleged that before taking the extreme step, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa named the minister, accusing him of pressuring him to falsely admit accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh, manipulating tenders, and issuing threats.
Demands for Immediate Action
Bajwa outlined several key demands in response to this grave situation. As the leader of the opposition, his first demand is for an FIR to be registered immediately for abetment to suicide. He called for the arrest of Laljit Singh Bhullar without delay and insisted that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. Additionally, Bajwa urged that the post-mortem examination be conducted by prestigious institutions such as PGI Chandigarh or AIIMS to determine whether the deceased was physically assaulted by Bhullar or his associates, as alleged.
Call for Rule of Law and Judicial Intervention
Bajwa further stated that the responsibility now lies with the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the Punjab Police to demonstrate that the rule of law prevails and applies equally to all, regardless of position or power. He warned that any delay or inaction in this case would only deepen public mistrust and raise further doubts about the government's intent. In a move to ensure justice, Bajwa also appealed to the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter, emphasizing that justice should neither be delayed nor denied.
Broader Implications for Punjab
Concluding his remarks, Bajwa stressed that this issue transcends politics and is fundamentally about justice, accountability, and the protection of honest officers. He noted that the tragic death of a government official under such circumstances has once again exposed the alarming state of law and order in Punjab, calling for urgent reforms and transparency in governance. The Congress leaders' visit and demands underscore a growing concern over administrative integrity and the need for swift action to restore public confidence in the state's institutions.
