The arrest of former Punjab minister and senior Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has raised the concerns of Punjab politicians and officials. The ED raided the houses of two former Congress ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Sangat Singh Gilzian on November 30 last year and arrested Dharamsot after a month and a half long investigation. As the parliamentary elections are around the corner, the difficulties of the Congress leaders may increase as the ED is currently investigating half a dozen Congress leaders.
Dharmsot and Gilzi were former Ministers of the Forest Department during the Congress government. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had registered a case of corruption and fraud against the two a year and a half ago. ED’s action has been implemented only on the basis of the findings of the aforementioned case.
Raids were also conducted on the houses of former Congress minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu along with his relatives. ED claimed to have found assets worth 5 crores from Ashu and others. ED has started investigation against 6 former ministers and 7 civil and police officers. Leaders belonging to Akali Dal and AAP are also said to be under ED’s radar. According to sources, the properties and bank accounts of these officers and politicians are being searched by the ED. Similarly, the ED also raided two MLAs of the ruling party of the state, Kulwant Singh and Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra.
Investigation is going on against these leaders:
Ex-Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Ex-Minister Vijay Inder Singla, Brahm Mohindra,Balbir Singh Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh Kangar, Ex-MLAs Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Dalbir Singh Goldi, Hardyal Singh Kamboj, Madan Lal Jalalpur and Barindermeet Singh Pahra.
Vigilance's investigation is currently underway. Vigilance has also arrested more than half a dozen former ministers and MLAs of Punjab.