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Amritsar, Punjab, India, March 24: Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation, who allegedly died by suicide after being tortured by Laljit Singh Bhullar, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA.
Bhullar was arrested on Monday following sustained political pressure and had earlier resigned as Punjab Transport Minister after opposition parties demanded strict action in the case.
Speaking to Media, Jakhar accused the state government of using “inducements, threats, and even intimidation in the name of gangsters” to influence the victim’s family. He praised the family for remaining steadfast in their demand for justice and said the arrest was a result of what he termed the “Amit Shah effect.”
“When Amit Shah gave his statement, the fear of a potential CBI probe compelled the Aam Aadmi Party government to act. Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal know that if the CBI takes over, several layers of the case may open,” Jakhar said. He urged the Centre to immediately order a central investigation, reiterating that the BJP stands firmly with Randhawa’s family.
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu confirmed Bhullar’s arrest and said the accused would be produced before a court. Police have invoked charges relating to abetment of suicide and criminal intimidation.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation Workers Union staging protests demanding justice for Randhawa.
The matter also reached Parliament, where Gurjeet Singh Aujla raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, calling for a transparent probe into the allegations against Bhullar. Responding to the demand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was ready to transfer the case to the CBI if all MPs from Punjab made a formal request.
“This is a matter concerning Punjab. If MPs from the state write to me requesting a CBI probe, I will order it immediately,” Shah said in the House.
The controversy intensified after opposition leader Bikram Singh Majithia and others circulated a purported video of Randhawa in which he mentioned the minister’s alleged role before his death.
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