Ludhiana4 hours ago
Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested former state food supply minister and Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu late on Monday evening. Ashu was arrested in the transportation tender scam. Ashu was caught by the Vigilance team when he had gone to a salon for a haircut. During this, Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu was also present with Ashu. At the time of Ashu’s arrest, Bittu clashed with the Vigilance officers.
Vigilance officers raided and arrested Ashu under complete planning. Ashu’s name was taken by the arrested contractor in the tender scam related to loading-unloading of wheat in the mandis of the state. Since then Ashu was on the radar of Vigilance. On Monday, the Vigilance team arrested Ashu, who had come to the salon for a haircut. After the arrest of Ashu, the Congress has started gheraoing the Ludhiana Vigilance Office.
MP Ravneet Bittu arguing with Vigilance officers.
The petition was withdrawn from HC in the morning itself.
Bharat Bhushan Ashu filed a petition in HC. In which 7 days notice was sought before arrest. However, Ashu withdrew this petition this morning itself. He sought exemption to file the petition afresh. Vigilance was also aware of this. Ashu reaches the High Court again, Vigilance arrests Ashu.
Vigilance director was challenged in the day
Punjab Congress staged a sit-in outside the office of the Director of Vigilance in Chandigarh today. During this, Ashu had challenged that he is present here, arrest the Vigilance. Vigilance did not take any action at that time. After the dharna, Ashu returned to Ludhiana. Late in the evening when he reached Saloon in leisure, the Vigilance reached there to arrest him.
Congressmen gathered outside the Vigilance Office.
Tender scam: Transportation of goods on scooter, bike shown
In the labor transportation tender scam, the accused used to transport goods by putting fake number plates on the vehicles in the grain markets. At the same time, the accused got the numbers of the wrong vehicles written in the department before taking the tender. During investigation, it was found that the numbers which were written were of two-wheelers like scooters, bikes etc. Vehicles having this number are not valid for carrying goods.
In this case, about two months ago, on behalf of some transport owners and contractors, the then cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu was accused of benefitting some contractors and contractors and cheating of crores of rupees. Now after the investigation in this case, the Vigilance has started making arrests by registering an FIR. Ashu is also accused of tendering scam of 2 thousand crores.