Raman Arora’s son granted interim bail in Jalandhar corruption case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted interim bail to Rajan Arora, the son of Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora, in a corruption case filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB). The case, registered in May, involves serious allegations of bribery and extortion.

Interim bail granted till September 24

Rajan Arora had been on the run since the registration of the case. On Wednesday, the High Court stayed his arrest until September 24 and directed him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation by joining the probe. The Vigilance Bureau had earlier issued a lookout notice for Rajan, fearing he might attempt to flee abroad.

This order comes after the Jalandhar district court rejected Rajan’s anticipatory bail plea in June, leaving him with no immediate legal relief at the time. The High Court’s interim bail now gives him temporary protection from arrest while the case proceeds.

The case dates back to May 23, when AAP legislator Raman Arora, father of Rajan, was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau following a month-long investigation. The probe revealed an alleged corruption and extortion racket, which, according to VB officials, was being run under the MLA’s patronage.

Along with the MLA, Jalandhar Municipal Corporation’s assistant town planner Sukhdev Vashisht and other associates were also named in the case. Rajan Arora and another close relative, Raju Madaan, were among those accused, but Rajan managed to evade arrest until now.

Allegations of bribery and extortion

According to the Vigilance Bureau, Raman Arora and assistant town planner Sukhdev Vashisht allegedly targeted ongoing or completed commercial and residential projects in Jalandhar. They reportedly issued violation notices to builders and property developers and then demanded bribes to settle the cases.

In several instances, builders were told to meet MLA Raman Arora directly to resolve issues raised in the notices. This created an organized extortion system, as per VB claims.

Four people, including the MLA, have already been arrested in the case:

• Raman Arora (Jalandhar Central MLA)

• Sukhdev Vashisht (Assistant Town Planner)

• Harpreet Kaur (Building Inspector)

• Mahesh Makhija (close friend of Arora)

The Vigilance Bureau conducted an extensive seven-hour raid at Raman Arora’s residence on May 23. During the search, the VB team seized ₹6 lakh in cash, 1.2 kg of gold ornaments, and several incriminating documents. These findings added weight to the corruption allegations and intensified the probe.

The VB continues to examine documents and other evidence to trace the money trail and identify more people involved in the alleged bribery network.

ALSO READ: Punjab’s move to introduce SC quota in appointment of law officers challenged

ALSO READ: Mohali sees poor response to GMADA land pooling, only 15 of 8,000 landowners join

Rajan Arora under strict court directions

While granting interim bail, the High Court made it clear that Rajan must join the investigation and fully cooperate with the Vigilance Bureau. Any non-compliance could lead to the cancellation of his interim relief.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 24, by which time Rajan’s role in the case is expected to become clearer.

The case has triggered political controversy in Punjab as it involves an AAP MLA. Allegations of corruption against an elected representative of the ruling party have raised questions about transparency and governance. Opposition parties have used the incident to attack AAP, accusing it of failing to uphold its anti-corruption stance.

For now, the Vigilance Bureau is tightening its investigation to expose the full extent of the alleged bribery network. Sources suggest that more arrests are possible in the coming weeks as the inquiry progresses.

Key points at a glance:

• Rajan Arora, son of MLA Raman Arora, gets interim bail till September 24.

• Court directs him to join Vigilance Bureau’s investigation immediately.

• MLA Raman Arora was arrested on May 23 after a month-long probe.

• Allegations involve bribery and extortion from builders in Jalandhar.

• VB seized ₹6 lakh cash, 1.2 kg gold, and incriminating documents during raids.

• Four people, including MLA Arora, have already been arrested.

• Case to be reviewed by the High Court in the next hearing.