In the Punjab Tender Scam case, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations at 25 locations in Punjab on August 24, 2023, including the homes of Bharat Bhushan Ashu, a former minister of food and civil supplies in Punjab, Raman Balasubramanian, a former chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), and their associates.
Based on FIRs filed by the Ludhiana Vigilance Bureau under different sections of the PC Act of 1988 and the IPC of 1860 with regard to the Punjab Government’s Transportation and Labour Cartage Policy 2021, the ED began an investigation into money laundering. Contractors who contacted Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu through Rakesh Kumar Singla, Chairman of CVC, Food and Civil Supplies, are said to have received the tenders. The allottee contractors had unfair benefits as a result of this favouritism, which cost the government exchequer money. Additionally, FIRs relating to the LIT fraud about the allocation of plots to fake people were taken into account during the search.
A total of Rs.4.81 Crore, which had been presumptively recognised as the proceeds of crime and was located across several bank accounts belonging to the searched individuals, was frozen during the search operation. Additionally, 4 bank safes and 5 immovable assets valued around Rs 1.54 crore have been frozen. Additionally taken from several locations were numerous damning papers, digital gadgets, and around $30 lakhs worth of Indian currency. Additional investigation is being conducted.
