24 March, 2026 – Chandigarh : Fearing adverse impact in the state polls early next year, Former Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar was contacted by the AAP top leadership and told to surrender when he was on his way to Chandigarh, according to sources.
However, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said his party’s state government “had him arrested”, even as Bhullar claimed that he had surrendered.
Bhullar was arrested from Mandi Gobindgarh in the suicide case of Punjab Warehousing Corporation officer Gagandeep Singh Randhawa.
This entire controversy unravelled close on the heels of the AAP government’s March 8 Budget, in which it announced the monthly stipend plan for women.
Just as the ruling party, targeting another term in power, was busy spreading the message about the plan, the suicide and the alleged role of the former minister in it forced it to go on the backfoot.
Sources said the party brass got jittery following a feedback from senior leaders, who said the popularity of the scheme could be washed out due to public anger over the incident.
The leaders also spoke about the mobilisation of employees against the government, and its impact not just in the forthcoming elections, but also on procurement of wheat, if the government continued to drag its feet on the issue.
Sources said the party brass was initially inclined to ask Bhullar to join investigation in the case. Things started changing this morning when the issue rocked Parliament.
The party top leadership decided to end the controversy immediately, fearing further escalation of the controversy as was in the case of a Haryana Police officer’s suicide in Chandigarh last year. With the state polls due early next year and AAP not wanting to give the Opposition ammunition, the party leadership was finally convinced that he should be arrested, the sources said.
‘Won’t spare law violators’
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “If anyone in Punjab violates the law, strict action will be taken against him, no matter what position he hold or influence he wields.”
Took prompt action: Kejriwal
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said, “Recently, serious allegations were made against a minister in the AAP government in Punjab. Our government took immediate action against that minister without any delay or discrimination, not only removing him from his position but also getting him arrested.”
“Meanwhile, some time ago, an ADGP in Haryana committed suicide. Serious allegations were levelled against several people, but their entire party and government came out in support of the culprits. This is the difference between AAP and the BJP,” he alleged.
Depts assigned to CM
The Departments of Transport and Jails, which were earlier with Bhullar, have been assigned to the Chief Minister.
The Tribune