Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has come into action mode ever since the Election Commission of India (ECI) sought a report from the agency in the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial case. On Wednesday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) registered a case against 26 accused, including the Managing Editor of Ajit Group of Publications Barjinder Singh Hamdard, in the alleged case of misappropriation of funds in the construction of Rs 315 crore Jang-e-Azadi Memorial project at Kartarpur near Jalandhar. The VB has arrested 15 people including Ludhiana-based builder Deepak Singal and 14 officials of the PWD in connection with the case. On Friday, Punjab Vigilance Bureau officers reached Barjinder Singh Hamdard's office and pasted a notice asking him to appear before the agency within 7 days.
As per reports, Jalandhar Vigilance DSP Jatinder Jeet Singh along with his team reached the office of journalist Barjinder Singh Hamdard. The pasted notice reads that an FIR has been registered based on the report of technical teams regarding irregularities in the construction of Jang-e-Azadi Memorial, Kartarpur. It is said that evidence of tax embezzlement has been found against him (Hamdard) and others.
In the notice, Vigilance wrote that, as per the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Ajit's MD will have to appear before the Vigilance Office, Jalandhar for questioning. The action can be taken further after the interrogation of the accused.
What is the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial case?
As per the FIR, it was found that the funds released by the Punjab Government for the construction of Jang-e-Azadi Memorial in Kartarpur have been misappropriated causing huge loss to the state exchequer to the tune of crores of rupees. VB, Jalandhar Range, registered a case FIR no. 9 dated 22.05.2024 under sections 420, 406, 409, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of the IPC and section 13(1)A read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 15 arrests have been made in the case.