Chandigarh, March 21
The alleged suicide of Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, District Manager of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, has triggered a political storm across Punjab, shaking the very foundations of the state’s governance. What began as a tragic personal loss has swiftly escalated into a full-blown crisis, with opposition parties uniting in fierce condemnation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration. From charges of ministerial intimidation to demands for murder cases and CBI probes, the incident has ignited a chorus of outrage that now questions not only the conduct of individual ministers but the credibility of the government itself.
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa has said that the tragic death of an officer has once again laid bare the disturbing state of law and order under Bhagwant Mann’s government. “When those entrusted to uphold the law appear to act with impunity, it raises a serious question — what sense of security is left for ordinary Punjabis”, he questioned.
Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has posted on X: “First, people were losing their lives because refunds were not being given, but now even officers have to give up their lives because they cannot fulfill the bribe demands of government ministers. In the rule of this staunchly honest government, Punjab is passing through its most difficult time. Is the Chief Minister still calling his government a government of staunchly honest people?”
SAD President Sukhbir Badal has said, “Will the resignation of your (Bhagwant Mann) minister bring back a mother’s son, a father of children? If you truly regret the death of an honest officer, then immediately register a murder case against Laljit Bhullar, arrest him and get the investigation done by the CBI. Because earlier too you had taken resignations from your ministers but later, when the issue cooled down, you reinstated them. These dramas will not work anymore. Now the matter must be about justice.”
BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has also taken to social media to condemn the unfortunate incident. In his post on X, Shergill wrote: “District Manager of Warehousing Corporation committed suicide alleging abuse by AAP Minister Lalit Singh Bhullar. Today, Bhullar has resigned but his resignation exposes the dark reality of AAP’s governance in Punjab. AAP stands for ‘Arrogance & Abuse of Power’. Punjab deserves justice, not political cover-ups.”
In a hard hitting post on X, Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira wrote, “The resignation of Aam Aadmi Party Minister Laljit Bhullar isn’t enough justice! Congress demand registration of criminal case and his immediate arrest as the onus of suicide and death of DM Gagandip Randhawa happened because of the arrogance and brutality of the said Minister.”
Senior Congress leader Pawan Dewan has also condemned the incident in strongest terms. “Criminal case should be registered against Bhullar”, he demanded, while adding that the AAP government now stands completely exposed before the people of the Punjab.
Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia has alleged that the Minister Laljit Bhullar summoned Warehouse DM Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa to his house and at gunpoint, forced him to make a video admitting he had taken bribes. “Dr. Sahib was threatened. Today, Dr. Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, unable to bear this bullying and humiliation, has committed suicide. It is worth noting that Dr. Randhawa had brought this intimidation to the attention of the DC and MD but despite that, no action was taken, and today a capable officer was forced to take his own life. Even after Dr. Randhawa’s suicide, why has a case under Section 302 not been registered against Minister Laljit Bhullar? Let us all unite to help the family get justice.”
