Sidhu urges CM for CBI probe into antique smuggling
CHANDIGARH: Punjab tourism and local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged transactions of former director, tourism, cultural affairs, museum and archives, Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa, with a businessman accused of smuggling antique items.
In a letter to chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Sidhu stated that smuggling of antiques from the state was a serious matter.
“The government should get it probed by the CBI, which is the designated agency for investigating smuggling of antiques out of the country,” he wrote.
The minister, who also referred to Randhawa’s long stint in the department, personally handed over the letter to the chief minister during a meeting on Friday.
Sidhu’s recommendation came after the Mumbai zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) wrote to the chief secretary on August 23 to initiate suitable action against the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) official under the service conduct rules.
The minister, who had got Randhawa shifted out of his department over two months ago, said the smuggling of antiques was akin to “loot of heritage” of the state.
“There is no inventory of antiques being maintained by the depart- ment. The official could not have done all of this without others being involved. The inquiry is needed to get to the bottom of this,” Sidhu said, adding that he will also write to the governor. Randhawa could not be contacted despite several
efforts.