In a major development that has shaken Punjab politics, the police have registered an FIR against former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and his personal assistant in connection with the alleged suicide of a government officer in Amritsar.
The FIR was lodged at Ranjit Avenue Police Station following a complaint by Upinder Kaur, wife of the deceased Gagandeep Singh Randhawa. She accused the trio of continuous harassment, physical assault, and mental torture, claiming it forced her husband to take the extreme step.
Randhawa, who was serving as District Manager in Amritsar, died during treatment at a private hospital after consuming a poisonous substance. Before his death, he recorded a 12-second video in which he directly blamed Bhullar for pushing him to suicide, a clip that has now intensified the controversy across the state.
The incident quickly escalated into a political flashpoint, with leaders from Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, and BJP staging protests outside the police station even before the FIR was registered, demanding immediate action.
Amid mounting pressure, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took swift action and removed Bhullar from the cabinet. Bhullar had been handling key portfolios including jails and transport. The Chief Minister also ordered a detailed probe into the circumstances leading to the officer’s death, directing Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to investigate the case and submit a report.
Mann stated that the government would not tolerate a situation where a public servant is driven to death due to political pressure, signaling a serious stance on the issue.
Opposition parties, however, intensified their attack on the AAP government, calling for stricter action. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia termed Bhullar’s removal an “eyewash” and demanded a CBI probe, even urging the registration of a murder case under Section 302.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar also slammed the government, questioning Chief Minister Mann’s moral authority and demanding Bhullar’s immediate arrest. He alleged that the situation in Punjab has worsened, with even government officials being pushed to extreme steps.
Congress leaders, including Partap Singh Bajwa, visited the bereaved family in Amritsar and demanded a fair and impartial investigation. Bajwa said the circumstances surrounding the death raise serious concerns and called for the case to be handed over to the CBI to ensure justice.
With protests intensifying and political pressure mounting, the case has now become a major flashpoint in Punjab, raising serious questions about governance, accountability, and the safety of government officials in the state.
