Punjab Transport Minister Resigns Amid Controversy Following Official's Suicide

Laljit Singh Bhullar, Punjab's Transport Minister, has resigned after the suicide of a warehousing official who accused him of harassment. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the official's death. The situation has raised serious concerns about workplace harassment and its consequences. Randhawa, the deceased official, left a video expressing fear of Bhullar, leading to allegations of coercion and misconduct. Bhullar has denied these claims, stating his resignation aims to facilitate a fair investigation. This incident highlights the urgent need for accountability and transparency in government dealings.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 22, 2026, 14:48 IST

Minister's Resignation and Investigation Initiated

Laljit Singh Bhullar, the Transport Minister of Punjab, stepped down from his position on Saturday after the tragic suicide of a Punjab Warehousing Corporation official, who had previously accused him of harassment. This development was reported by various news outlets.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accepted Bhullar's resignation and instructed Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to launch an investigation into the events leading to Gagandeep Singh Randhawa's death. Mann emphasized that the resignation was crucial to ensure an unbiased inquiry.

Randhawa, who served as a district manager for the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, reportedly took his own life at home on Friday. He left behind a video in which he expressed fear of Bhullar, according to reports.

In a brief 12-second clip, Randhawa stated, “Your friend has consumed poison due to fear of minister Laljit Bhullar; I won’t survive now.”

Mann described the situation as deeply distressing and condemned any form of harassment that could lead someone to such a tragic end.

Following the resignation, Bhullar's responsibilities will be redistributed among other Cabinet members, as reported.

The Punjab State Warehousing Corporation Field Employees Union claimed that Randhawa faced undue pressure to approve tenders for warehouses linked to political associates that did not meet necessary technical standards.

Relatives of Randhawa alleged that he was summoned to Bhullar's residence on March 13, where he was physically assaulted and coerced into recording a confession regarding a bribe of Rs 10 lakh.

According to the relatives, the video was intended to intimidate the official into complying with the tendering process. Bhullar, an MLA from Patti representing the Aam Aadmi Party, has refuted these claims, labeling them as unfounded and asserting that his resignation was to ensure a transparent investigation.