The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called for an independent investigation into allegations that associates of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) engaged in illicit activities like collecting money from builders and operating illegal sand mining and liquor businesses. Former Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia emphasized the need for a thorough inquiry to expose the masterminds behind these illicit operations. He highlighted the involvement of the OSD, Rajbir Ghuman, and his accomplices, including senior officials, in questionable land deals with builders for kickbacks and unauthorized sand mining activities. Additionally, they are accused of running an illegal liquor trade.
Majithia revealed that individuals raided by the Enforcement Directorate, namely Nitin Gohal, Birdevinder Singh, and Pritpal Dhindsa, are closely linked to CM’s OSD Ghuman, sharing resources and collaborating closely. He alleged that the money obtained through these illegal activities was being transferred overseas through ‘hawala’ transactions, with Ghuman being portrayed as the key figure orchestrating the illicit schemes. Majithia urged authorities to conduct searches at Ghuman’s properties to recover the unlawfully acquired wealth and suggested issuing a lookout notice to prevent their escape from the country.
The SAD leader also stressed the importance of investigating the sudden rise in wealth and assets of Ghuman and his associates, questioning their ownership of high-end vehicles despite their previous financial status. He called for a comprehensive probe into allegations of ‘hawala’ transactions on behalf of the Chief Minister and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), urging scrutiny of properties and land acquisitions made abroad through these transactions.
