Sacked Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar 

Protest by the leaders of opposition parties in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Amritsar/Chandigarh: The death of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation’s Amritsar district manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa has triggered a major political and administrative crisis in the state, with police registering a case against former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and protests intensifying across Punjab.

 FIR Against Former Minister and Associates

The Punjab Police has registered a case against Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Bhullar, and personal assistant Dilbagh Singh under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:

• Section 108 (abetment to suicide)
• Section 351 (criminal intimidation)
• Section 3(5) (common intention)

In her complaint, Randhawa’s wife, Upinder Kaur, said the accused assaulted her husband, threatened him and pressured him to manipulate tender allocations. She further claimed he was forced at gunpoint to record a false video statement.

According to the family, Randhawa had been under intense pressure for months after refusing to comply with alleged demands related to tender allotments.

Family Demands Arrest Before Post-Mortem

The family has refused to allow the post-mortem until the arrest of the accused. “We want justice first. The post-mortem will only be conducted after the arrest of the accused minister,” Upinder Kaur said, alleging delay in the registration of the FIR and expressing concerns about the family’s safety.

She also demanded police protection, warning that any harm to her family would be the responsibility of the state government.

Opposition Mobilises, Protest March Planned

The case has triggered sharp political reactions, with leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Indian National Congress visiting the bereaved family.

Among those who visited were Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sunil Jakhar, and Partap Singh Bajwa.

Opposition parties have announced a gherao of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence in Chandigarh, demanding immediate arrest of the accused and an independent probe.

On Sunday, a heavy police deployment was seen outside the Punjab MLA Hostel in Chandigarh as BJP and SAD workers gathered to begin a protest march towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

Political Fallout Deepens

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the AAP government, with opposition parties alleging misuse of power, corruption in tender processes and failure to protect officials.

The issue has also drawn attention to a wider pattern of alleged irregularities in warehouse tender allocations, as reflected in the background reports (see clipping), which highlight claims of pressure on officials to favour certain bidders.

Investigation Underway

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken based on evidence. The case has not only raised concerns over administrative pressure and governance in Punjab, but also sparked a broader political confrontation, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency in the probe.