The Punjab Police has registered a case against former state minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and another associate in connection with the alleged suicide of a warehousing corporation official in Amritsar. The case has been filed under serious charges, including abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation, following a complaint by the deceased’s wife.
The development comes shortly after Bhullar resigned from his position as transport and jails minister in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had sought his resignation to ensure a fair investigation into the matter. Bhullar stated that he stepped down voluntarily to allow an unbiased probe.
According to the police, the deceased was a district manager with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC). He allegedly died by suicide after consuming a poisonous substance at his residence. A video reportedly recorded before his death surfaced on social media, in which he mentioned fear and pressure as reasons for his extreme step.
In her complaint, the deceased’s wife made serious allegations against Bhullar and his associates. She claimed that the former minister had applied for government tenders for constructing warehouses under his father’s name. She further alleged that Bhullar repeatedly pressured her husband to approve these tenders in his father’s favour.
According to the complaint, the official was under constant stress due to these demands. The wife stated that her husband had shared his concerns with her multiple times, saying that he was being forced to act against his professional duties. When the tenders were not granted as demanded, the pressure allegedly turned into threats and harassment.
The complaint also includes disturbing claims that the official was threatened with harm to his family if he did not comply. It further alleges that Bhullar and his associates warned him that his children would face consequences if he failed to cooperate.
In another serious allegation, the wife claimed that her husband was called to the minister’s residence, where he was allegedly beaten and forced to record a video at gunpoint. In the video, he was made to read a scripted statement accusing himself of wrongdoing in the tender process. This, she said, caused immense mental trauma to her husband.
Based on these allegations, the police registered a case under sections related to abetment of suicide, criminal intimidation, and common intention under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The investigation is currently ongoing, and further evidence is being examined.
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The case has triggered a strong political reaction across Punjab. Opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have come together to demand immediate action against the accused.
Several senior leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, participated in a joint protest in Chandigarh. The protestors attempted to march towards the residence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann but were stopped by police barricades. Water cannons were used to disperse the crowd, and several leaders were briefly detained before being released.
Opposition leaders have demanded Bhullar’s immediate arrest and a transparent investigation. They have also raised concerns about misuse of power and the need for accountability in public office. The unity shown by different political parties in this protest highlights the seriousness of the issue.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has assured that the law will take its course without any bias. He reiterated that his government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and misconduct. He stated that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law.
The police have also confirmed that they are conducting a thorough investigation. Officials are examining digital evidence, including the video that surfaced online, and are recording statements from witnesses. The role of each accused person is being carefully analysed to establish the facts of the case.
Legal experts say that cases involving abetment of suicide require strong evidence to prove direct or indirect involvement. The investigation will focus on whether the accused’s actions created a situation that led the victim to take his own life.
The incident has also raised broader concerns about workplace pressure, misuse of authority, and the mental health of government officials. Many experts believe that there is a need for stronger safeguards to protect employees from undue influence and harassment.
In conclusion, the case against Laljit Singh Bhullar and others has brought serious allegations of pressure, threats, and abuse of power into the spotlight. While the investigation is still ongoing, the matter has already sparked political debate and public concern.
The coming days will be crucial as authorities continue to gather evidence and determine accountability. For now, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the deceased official and maintaining trust in the system.
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