The former Congress government in Punjab is facing a legal crackdown as four of its ex-ministers, including former Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, and Sundar Sham Arora, are set to face court trials. The assembly speaker has given the green light for these proceedings, with charges already filed against the accused.
Sadhu Singh, a former minister, is implicated in a multi-crore forest department scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a separate investigation into the matter. From March 1, 2016, to March 21, 2022, Sadhu Singh and his family reported an income of ₹2,37,12,594 while their expenses amounted to ₹8,76,30,888, exceeding their income by ₹6,39,18,292. This figure is 269% more than their known income sources.
Former Deputy Chief Minister O.P. Soni was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in July 2023. According to the bureau, Soni’s total income from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2022, was ₹4,52,18,771, while his expenses were ₹12,48,42,692. He overspent his income by ₹7,96,23,921, which is 176.08% more than his declared income.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu, another former minister, was apprehended by the Vigilance Bureau for his involvement in a multi-crore tender scam. The ED is also investigating this case, leading to Ashu’s recent arrest. Meanwhile, ex-minister Sundar Sham Arora was arrested in an industrial plot scam, with significant cash recovered from his residence. He is currently out on bail.