Chandigarh: The AAP government in Punjab sacked health and family welfare minister Vijay Singla for alleged corruption and got him arrested soon after, based on an audio clip from a sting operation in which his officer on special duty (OSD) is purportedly heard seeking “shukrana” (commission) on sanctioned contracts.
CM Bhagwant Mann, who first received a complaint against the 52-year-old first-time MLA around 10 days ago, said his government had walked the talk on “zero tolerance of corruption”. In a video message on social media, Mann said, “Nobody, however influential the person may be, will be allowed to continue with such malpractice.”
An FIR was registered against Singla on the CM’s instructions under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was picked up from his private residence in Mohali and taken to the police station for questioning.
Singla’s OSD Pradeep Kumar was also arrested on suspicion that he was the go-between in the bribe scandal. They were both produced in a city court that remanded them in police custody.
According to the FIR, Singla allegedly demanded commission for allotment of funds against government contracts. Initially, he allegedly demanded a 2% commission on the total amount of £5.8 million, amounting to £116,000, to which the complainant didn’t agree. The sacked health minister then scaled down the demand to 1%, the FIR said. The complainant, Rajinder Singh, admitted to offering Rs 500,000 as bribe to escape harassment.
