Jalandhar, January 15: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken into custody former Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot in connection with a money laundering case associated with the forest scam that unfolded during his tenure as the Minister of Forests. The progression from the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s initial investigation to financial scrutiny by the ED signifies a noteworthy turn in the case.
This arrest follows two prior detentions by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had initially faced charges related to the forest scam, resulting in a jail term. Subsequently, he was arrested again, this time in connection with a case involving disproportionate assets.
Former Punjab Cabinet minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jalandhar. The arrest came after Dharamsot underwent questioning at the ED office in Jalandhar.
The investigative actions began on November 30, as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED teams conducted simultaneous raids at 14 locations across the state. The raids targeted individuals, including Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, forest contractor Harminder Singh Hammy, and journalist Kamaljeet Singh. The focus of the ED’s investigation was on financial irregularities and bribery allegations during Dharamsot’s term.
In an earlier development this year, the five-time MLA, along with two Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers, faced arrests by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) in connection with a case involving alleged disproportionate assets.
An ED team, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, had also raided the residence of former minister Sangat Singh Gilzian at his native village in the Tanda subdivision of Hoshiarpur district. Gilzian, who succeeded Dharamsot as state forest minister, was present during the raid.
Dharamsot was the first former Punjab minister to be arrested for corruption under the government led by Bhagwant Mann’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Enforcement Directorate had obtained documents from the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, which had initiated an investigation into the forest scam and filed two cases against the former minister and other officials.
Regarding the case, forest department contractor Harminder Singh Hummy, in a statement under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act, revealed maintaining a diary documenting bribes given to officials, political leaders, and intermediaries since 2017. The recovered diary played a crucial role in unveiling corrupt practices and subsequent arrests.
Harminder Singh Hummy disclosed paying Rs 500 per tree to Dharamsot for cutting khair trees. He obtained permits for cutting around 7,000 trees, involving bribes to officials. Dharamsot allegedly received bribes for facilitating transfers of officials, with varying amounts based on their positions. These transactions were purportedly orchestrated through his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Chamkaur Singh and reporter Kamaljit Singh.
Throughout his three-year tenure as the forest minister, Dharamsot is alleged to have collected Rs 1 crore for issuing permits for the felling of khair trees, facilitated through his OSD, according to sources.
Also Read | Mystery shrouds deaths of two Indian students in US
Also Read | Lok Sabha elections: BSP will contest alone, says Mayawati
Also Read | Deepfake videos: Sachil Tendulkar becomes latest victim; shares video
Also Read | Rights of passengers when flight faces delays, cancellations; checkout
Updating…
