What Sparked the Protest Against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann? A Deep Dive into the Controversy

Protests Erupt Over Allegations Against Former Minister

Chandigarh: Authorities detained a prominent opposition figure and deployed water cannons to break up a protest as demonstrators attempted to breach barricades surrounding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's residence on Sunday. The protest was aimed at demanding the arrest of former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, who is accused of contributing to the suicide of a state warehousing corporation official.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, the district manager of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, reportedly took his own life by ingesting poison early Saturday. A video surfaced in which he allegedly accused Bhullar of harassment, leading to Bhullar's resignation later that day at Mann's request amid the controversy.

Randhawa's family has stated they will not permit a post-mortem or cremation until Bhullar is apprehended.

On Saturday night, police filed charges against Bhullar, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar, and personal assistant Dilbag Singh under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Congress, and BJP announced their intention to jointly 'gherao' (lay siege to) CM Mann's residence to demand Bhullar's arrest.

Among the protest participants were Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, and SAD leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Daljit Singh Cheema. All were detained by police but later released.

It is uncommon for major opposition parties in Punjab to unite for a protest.

A significant police presence was stationed at the MLAs' Hostel to prevent protesters from reaching the chief minister's residence, with barricades set up by Chandigarh police. As demonstrators attempted to climb over the barricades, police responded with water cannons.

The opposition is insisting on Bhullar's arrest and a CBI investigation into the events leading to the suicide.

Punjab BJP chief Jakhar emphasized their pursuit of justice for Randhawa's family.

Jakhar stated that the protest would persist until Bhullar is taken into custody.

Akali leader Majithia remarked that despite Randhawa's complaints of harassment to higher authorities, the AAP government failed to take action.

Majithia asserted that had the government acted promptly, Randhawa might still be alive.

He called for Bhullar's immediate arrest and a thorough investigation.

Randhawa's elder brother, Varinderpal Singh Randhawa, joined Majithia in Chandigarh, claiming his brother faced mental harassment from Bhullar, leading to his tragic decision.

Varinderpal insisted on justice, stating they would not allow a post-mortem or cremation until Bhullar is arrested.

Opposition Leader Bajwa criticized the AAP government for not swiftly detaining Bhullar.

He expressed solidarity with Randhawa's family during the protest alongside Congress workers.

Bajwa declared their united stance for justice and accountability, vowing that Congress would persist in this fight until justice is achieved for the grieving family.

Punjab Congress chief Warring stated that the protest was for every honest employee who stands firm against corruption.

He emphasized that this struggle is for truth, justice, and rights, pledging support for Randhawa's family until justice is served.

The FIR was filed based on a complaint from Randhawa's wife, Upinder Kaur, at Ranjit Avenue Police Station in Amritsar on Saturday night, shortly after Bhullar resigned from the cabinet.

Earlier that day, a video emerged on social media in which Randhawa, who also managed the Patti area in Taran Taran, claimed he had consumed Celphos and accused the transport minister of harassment.

In the video, Randhawa stated, 'Your friend has consumed Celphos due to fear of minister Laljit Bhullar. I will not survive now.'

Opposition leaders have alleged that Bhullar pressured Randhawa to award a warehouse tender to his father.

Additionally, Bhullar was accused of recording a video of Randhawa and coercing him into admitting to accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from another party.

It was claimed that on March 13, Randhawa was summoned to Bhullar's residence, where he was assaulted and humiliated.

However, Bhullar, the MLA from Patti, has dismissed the allegations against him as unfounded.