Chandigarh, March 21: Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned from his cabinet post on Saturday after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed him to step down. The resignation follows the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, an official with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation, whose passing has sparked a high-level investigation into claims of administrative interference.
Chief Minister Mann initiated a formal probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the Amritsar-based district manager. Government officials affirmed that the administration maintains a strict policy regarding the conduct of its representatives. A spokesperson for the government declared that the Chief Minister has made it clear that no irregularity by anyone will be tolerated.
The inquiry focuses on a video reportedly recorded by Randhawa before his death. In the footage, the official asserted that he faced significant pressure regarding the awarding of storage tenders in Patti. The recording includes allegations of demands for a 10 lakh rupee bribe and claims of physical mistreatment at the minister’s residence after Randhawa refused to favor a specific bidder.
The Chief Secretary is expected to oversee the ongoing inquiry. While the Transport portfolio remains vacant, the results of the probe are anticipated to influence the future composition of the state cabinet. This development comes as the government seeks to ensure stability in departments managing grain storage and agricultural procurement.
