A tragic suicide in Amritsar has thrust Punjab’s political landscape into turmoil, with Congress MP from Chandigarh, Manish Tewari, demanding a federal CBI probe into the death of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation’s Gaggandeep Singh Randhawa. The official’s desperate act has leveled explosive charges against ex-Transport Minister Laljit Bhullar, fueling accusations of bullying by those in power.
On Saturday evening, Randhawa ingested poison at home, leaving behind a narrative of torment. His widow, Upinder Kaur, filed a police complaint detailing how Bhullar, his father, and aide assaulted him and coerced him into suicide over unfulfilled demands. This heartbreaking story has resonated widely, prompting calls for a thorough, unbiased investigation.
Tewari, reacting swiftly, emphasized the necessity of CBI intervention. ‘This painful episode demands accountability through a probe the public can believe in,’ he told reporters. He urged the state government to relinquish control of the case to central agencies, highlighting the limitations of local inquiries in high-profile matters.
Political heavyweights have piled on. Udit Raj of Congress accused AAP of institutionalizing graft under CM Bhagwant Mann, stating, ‘Corruption has peaked, pushing honest officers to their deaths.’ BJP’s Sunil Jakhar escalated the offensive, organizing demonstrations at Mann’s Chandigarh home and personally consoling the family. ‘The CM lacks the ethics to govern,’ Jakhar charged, portraying Randhawa’s death as tantamount to murder and insisting on Bhullar’s arrest.
Jakhar pointed to a pattern of AAP scandals – from Singla’s dismissal to Sarari’s controversies – arguing they reveal the party’s true face. As opposition unites in outrage, this case could mark a turning point, compelling Punjab’s rulers to confront systemic issues of pressure politics and restore integrity to public service. The path ahead demands swift justice to prevent further tragedies.