CM Mann orders inquiry into circumstances of Gagandeep Randhawa’s death; says no negligence will be tolerated
21 March, 2026 – Chandigarh : Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar tendered his resignation on Saturday, following directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, sources said.
The Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran was asked to resign in connection with the alleged suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar.
The case intensified after CM Bhagwant Mann accepted Bhullar’s resignation following a controversial video linked to the incident. The CM also directed the Chief Secretary to conduct an impartial inquiry, stating that no negligence would be tolerated.
No replacement for the Transport portfolio has been announced yet.
Earlier, a government spokesperson confirmed that CM Mann has ordered a formal inquiry into the circumstances leading to the official’s death and any involvement of the MLA.
Allegations in final video
Randhawa, who was handling additional charge in Patti—Bhullar’s constituency—allegedly recorded a final video before consuming Celphos (aluminum phosphide) poison, naming the AAP minister and accusing him of severe harassment.
In the clip, he reportedly claimed he was pressured to award a tender to the minister’s aide, which he refused in favour of a legitimate bidder, demands for a Rs 10 lakh bribe, and alleged physical assault at Bhullar’s residence, where attempts were made to record a compromising video.
Opposition leaders demand accountability
The incident triggered intense backlash, with opposition leaders—including Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia—amplifying the allegations on social media.
They demanded an FIR against Bhullar, his immediate removal from the Cabinet, preservation of the deceased’s phone as evidence, and a CBI probe. They also questioned the “kattar imandaar” (strictly honest) image of the AAP government under CM Bhagwant Mann and national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Bajwa raised serious questions over the death of the warehousing corporation official Gagandeep Randhawa.
In a post on X, Bajwa alleged that Randhawa faced sustained harassment and assault by AAP Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and had reportedly named the minister before taking the extreme step.
He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police to launch an immediate, impartial investigation, stressing that “the law must apply equally to everyone” and that any delay would deepen public mistrust. Bajwa clarified the matter is about accountability and justice, not politics.
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal questioned CM Mann, asking if accepting the resignation could bring back the deceased official. Dismissing the action as mere drama, Badal asserted that real justice would be delivered by the people of Punjab soon.
The Tribune