Chandigarh, March 24
Punjab’s former Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, on Tuesday described Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as arrogant and raised questions over the Punjab government’s commitment to justice. He said that if the Punjab government has nothing to hide, why is it afraid of an independent investigation? Why is the Punjab government not ready to have an investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)? Making a sharp comment, the Congress MP questioned the state government’s reluctance to involve central investigative agencies.
Randhawa launched a strong attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government, alleging that the government has failed to deliver justice and maintain transparency in important matters. He expressed concern over delayed and selective justice in investigations, saying that many sensitive cases in the state remain pending or lack credibility in the public eye.
“Even in cases involving former cabinet minister Dr. Vijay Singla and Jalandhar MLA Raman Arora, no action has been taken. At that time, the police and administration were also under the government, but now action against them has stalled. The people of Punjab are still waiting for justice. The government had promised accountability, but the ground reality tells a very different story”, he added.
Randhawa argued that a CBI investigation in controversial cases would ensure impartiality and restore public trust. He said that transparency is the cornerstone of democracy. Avoiding an independent investigation only deepens suspicion. This statement comes at a time when political tensions are rising between the opposition and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party over governance and law-and-order issues in Punjab. He urged the Mann government to rise above politics and allow an impartial investigation. He emphasized that justice should not only be done but also be seen to be done.
