CHANDIGARH — Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned from the Bhagwant Mann-led cabinet on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following a major controversy surrounding the alleged suicide of a government official. The Chief Minister confirmed he requested the resignation to ensure a “fair and impartial inquiry” into the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a District Manager with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation.
The Allegations & Evidence
The political crisis was triggered by a video that surfaced on social media, purportedly recorded by Randhawa before his death in Amritsar:
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Direct Naming: In the video, Randhawa is heard alleging he consumed a poisonous substance and explicitly naming Minister Bhullar.
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Corruption Claims: Opposition leader Bikram Singh Majithia (SAD) alleged that the official was pressured to award a tender to an aide of the minister but refused, choosing a legitimate bidder instead.
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Assault Charges: Further allegations suggest Randhawa was summoned to the minister’s residence, physically assaulted, and subjected to an attempted video recording to compromise him.
The Minister’s Defense
Laljit Singh Bhullar, the MLA from Patti, has dismissed the accusations as “absolutely baseless and false.” In a statement posted to Facebook, he maintained his innocence:
“Our party always stands with the truth. I want these allegations against me to be investigated properly. Until the investigation is complete, I have requested the Chief Minister to approve my resignation.”
Political Fallout
The resignation marks a significant blow to the AAP government in Punjab:
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Inquiry Ordered: CM Bhagwant Mann has ordered a high-level probe to determine the circumstances leading to the suicide and the validity of the bribery allegations.
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Opposition Pressure: Both the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Congress have intensified demands for a CBI-led investigation, arguing that a state-level probe may be influenced by the ruling party.
