Chandigarh, March 21: Laljit Singh Bhullar, the Aam Aadmi Party legislator representing Patti, tendered his resignation as Transport Minister on Saturday. The move came at the request of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a District Manager for the Punjab Warehousing Corporation who was also overseeing operations in Bhullar’s constituency.
The Chief Minister’s office confirmed that an inquiry is underway to examine the involvement of the MLA in the events leading to the official’s passing. The state government affirmed its commitment to transparency during this process. A spokesperson noted that the Chief Minister has declared that no irregularity will be tolerated under his watch.
According to reports, Randhawa died after consuming a toxic substance and left behind a video message detailing his grievances. In the clip, the official maintained that he was being coerced into bypassing legitimate bidding processes for a warehousing tender to benefit an associate of the minister. He further alleged that he was subjected to an attempted setup involving a compromising video after he resisted these demands.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents who are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe. Leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal asserted that an FIR should be registered against Bhullar immediately. They also declared that the government must prove its dedication to accountability by ensuring a fair and impartial trial.
The Punjab Warehousing Corporation plays a vital role in the state’s agricultural economy, managing the storage of essential food grains. As the Chief Secretary proceeds with the investigation, the administration has yet to name a successor for the Transport Ministry. The outcome of the legal and administrative review is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
