In a significant development intertwining politics and law enforcement, the Mohali Police have made an arrest linked to a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor who recently defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The arrested individual is the sister-in-law of the councillor, caught in a web of alleged financial fraud.
The Arrest and Its Political Backdrop
The police action unfolded on Monday, with the arrest of Kuljit Kaur. She is the sister-in-law of Gurpreet Singh, also known as Gopi, who served as a councillor from the Mataur ward in the Mohali Municipal Corporation. The case stems from a complaint filed by a local resident, Jaswinder Singh, who accused the councillor and his associates of fraud involving a substantial sum of money.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant alleged that he had paid Rs 1.5 crore to the accused for a property deal. The transaction, however, turned sour when a cheque issued for the amount was dishonoured by the bank. This prompted Jaswinder Singh to approach the police, setting the legal process in motion.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The police have outlined a detailed sequence of events. The complainant stated that he entered into an agreement with Gurpreet Singh Gopi and others to purchase a plot of land. After paying the hefty sum, he received a cheque which later bounced due to insufficient funds in the account. This act constitutes an offence under Section 420 (cheating) and Section 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Negotiable Instruments Act which deals with cheque bounce cases.
Following the registration of the case, a police team led by Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Satnam Singh of the Sohana police station initiated the investigation. Their probe led to the arrest of Kuljit Kaur. Police officials confirmed that she was presented before a local court, which subsequently sent her to judicial custody.
Political Repercussions and Ongoing Probe
This arrest carries considerable political weight. The main accused in the case, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Gopi, had recently quit the AAP to join the BJP. His defection was seen as a coup for the BJP in Punjab's charged political landscape. This legal entanglement now casts a shadow over that move and raises questions about the scrutiny of incoming members.
The police have made it clear that their investigation is ongoing and active. They are continuing their search for Gurpreet Singh Gopi and other individuals named in the FIR. The authorities have emphasized that the arrest of Kuljit Kaur is a step in the process, and more developments are expected as they pursue all leads in this high-value fraud case.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of property fraud and financial cheating in the region, while also underscoring how legal issues can quickly follow political figures, creating complex narratives of power, accountability, and justice.
