Cong MLAS flag graft, SDM shifted, reader suspended

PATIALA: Hours after the Congress MLAS from chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s home district Patiala levelled charges of corruption against some civil and police officers, chief secretary Karan Avtar Singh marked an inquiry into the allegations besides transferring SDM Ravinder Singh Arora.

The chief secretary has also asked Patiala DC Kumar Amit to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit a report within 48 hours. The action came, after the corruption charges flew high and thick at the grievances committee meeting chaired by cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, who brought the issue into the notice of the CM and the chief secretary.

Earlier, Congress MLAS Hardial Kamboj, Madan Lal Jalalpur, Rajinder Singh and Nirmal Singh, accused some civil and police officials of corruption in the presence of deputy commissioner and SSP Mandeep Sidhu. All head of departments of various departments were present in the meeting.

“SDM Arora and his reader sought a bribe for ₹10 lakh from Sular sarpanch Vicky Garg, and I am privy to this conversation,” alleged Hardial Kamboj, who led the tirade against the officials.

“After my call, the SDM and his staff gave a discount of ₹3 lakh and settled for ₹7 Lakh,” alleged Kamboj. Arora denied the charges saying: “I am not aware of any such conversation.i am not aware if someone from my staff asked anything.” He later told the DC that his reader may have committed mistake and DC placed his reader under suspension.

“Following orders of the chief secretary, I have asked the ADC to submit probe a report in 48 hours,” said the DC. Kamboj also targeted police saying that police took bribe from a drug seller of Banur and let him walk free. He also listed other incidents. Ghanaur MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur also levelled charges against the police. Samana MLA Rajinder Singh accused CIA staff inspector Vijay Kumar of recording his phone calls.