Punjab Police Takes Important Steps In BJP Member Manpreet Badal’s Corruption Case

The day after the state’s vigilance agency opened an investigation into suspected irregularities in the purchase of a property in Bathinda, the Punjab Police issued a Look-Out Circular (LOC) at all airports for Manpreet Singh Badal, a former finance minister and prominent member of the BJP.

Originally slated for a hearing on September 26, Manpreet Badal’s pre-arrest bail application has now been withdrawn by his counsel, who says they will now make a fresh application in light of the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).

In a land allotment case, a FIR has been filed against him and five other people that covers cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and section 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with the penalty for criminal misconduct by a public servant. Charges have also been brought under the Information Technology Act.

Yesterday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau searched his home in the Sri Muktsar Sahib area. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made fun of Mr. Badal by saying that those who earlier took pride in their integrity are now going to great lengths to avoid facing legal repercussions.

The chief minister was quoted by NDTV as saying, “There is a significant difference between telling the truth and sticking by it.

He said that while these officials had earlier shown a desire to take responsibility for their activities, they were now actively seeking legal protections against any arrests.

Former Shiromani Akali Dal member and current BJP leader Sarup Chand Singla accused Mr. Badal of using his position as a minister in the previous Congress administration to convert two commercial plots into a residential plot for his own gain.

Following his resignation from the Congress in January of this year, Mr. Badal changed sides and joined the BJP. Mr. Badal said that Chief Minister Mann was using similar tactics to muzzle the voices of his political rivals after his July interview.