AAP MLA Raman Arora Arrested for Corruption in Jalandhar

Corruption Charges Against AAP Legislator

On Friday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau apprehended Raman Arora, a member of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), for allegedly engaging in corrupt practices in collusion with an official from the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation.

Arora is the third legislator from the AAP to face action related to corruption under his own party's governance. The Vigilance Bureau conducted extensive searches at his residence in Jalandhar throughout the day, leading to his detention in the evening after questioning.

At 54 years old, Arora represents the Jalandhar Central constituency. A spokesperson from the Vigilance Bureau's Jalandhar regional office confirmed, "Raman Arora has been arrested for colluding with a Jalandhar Municipal Corporation official in corrupt activities."

Shortly after assuming power in Punjab in 2022, the AAP had previously arrested its own minister, Vijay Singla, over corruption allegations. Additionally, two years ago, AAP MLA Amit Ratan Kotfatta was caught by the Vigilance Bureau for accepting bribes.

In a video message, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated, without naming Arora, that the AAP government does not tolerate corruption and will take strict action against anyone found involved, regardless of their position.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance Bureau spokesperson revealed in an official statement that a joint complaint signed by three officials from the Engineers and Building Designers Association, Jalandhar, was received on May 14. The complaint alleged that Sukdev Vashisht, an Assistant Town Planner at the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, frequently solicited bribes from them.

Following this complaint, an initial investigation was conducted, leading to the registration of a case against Vashisht under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on May 14, based on the complaint from Sunil Katiyal, the president of the Engineers and Building Designers Association, Jalandhar.

The investigation revealed that the arrested official, Vashisht, was employing a unique methodology in collaboration with a local leader (the accused legislator) to extort money from the residents of Jalandhar and engage in corrupt practices.