National/Punjab Desk
1 August
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Former Punjab Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday. He had reached the Jalandhar ED office earlier in the day, responding to a summons issued two days prior. The summons was related to an alleged scam in the transportation tender process during his tenure as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies in Punjab.
The case dates back to Ashu’s ministerial period, during which he was accused of manipulating transportation tenders. Last year, the ED conducted raids at his residence and other locations linked to the case. These operations aimed to gather evidence regarding the alleged scam.
Initially, the Punjab Police’s Vigilance Bureau was responsible for investigating the case. However, due to the complexity and gravity of the allegations, the Central Investigation Agency ED took over the investigation. The ED’s search operations uncovered significant evidence against several accused individuals.
During the investigation, the ED team meticulously analyzed documents and statements, which further implicated Ashu in the alleged transportation tender scam. Despite the high-profile nature of the case, ED officials maintained a strategic distance from the media to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
The ED’s move to arrest Ashu is seen as a significant development in the ongoing probe. It underscores the agency’s commitment to addressing corruption and malpractice in governmental processes. Ashu’s arrest follows a series of inquiries and evidence collection efforts by the ED, which revealed substantial irregularities and potential fraud.
Ashu’s arrest has caused a stir in political circles, highlighting the ongoing efforts to tackle corruption at various levels of government. The investigation is expected to continue as the ED aims to build a comprehensive case against all those involved in the alleged scam.