In a massive development, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday conducted raids at Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora's residence. Vigilance Bureau's raid on MLA Raman Arora's residence is seen as the biggest crackdown on corruption by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government. Following a raid at his house, the Vigilance Bureau arrested Raman Arora on a corruption and extortion case. Sources in the Vigilance Bureau informed True Scoop that Raman Arora is in the custody of the agency; however, an official announcement is yet to be made. Currently, the VB team is carrying out searches at his residence.
Raman Arora's arrest is a clear example of the Mann Government's zero tolerance policy against corruption even within its own party ranks. As per sources, MLA Arora was allegedly involved in a scheme using Jalandhar Municipal Corporation officials to send false notices to innocent citizens. It is reported that after sending these fabricated notices, Arora allegedly took bribes to settle the issues.
It is pertinent to mention here that this month, the Punjab Government had withdrawn Raman Arora's security cover as well. Since, then, there were murmurs going on in the political fraternity that there might be something going to happen in Punjab politics.
Is Raman Arora's arrest linked to the ATP Sukhdev Vashisht case?
A few days back, Punjab Vigilance had arrested Sukhdev Vashisht, an Assistant Town Planner (ATP), Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, for demanding a bribe of Rs. 30,000. VB, in their official release, stated that the accused had been deliberately delaying file approvals and extorting money from the applicants.
They informed that despite 70 percent of building maps in the area having already been approved by the MC, the aforementioned ATP Vashisht had refused to clear certain files unless bribes were paid. As per the complaint, the said ATP has demanded Rs. 30,000 to process the case. The complainants also accused him of using threats, including sealing buildings during inspections to intimidate applicants, and even said that he is not afraid of his transfer.
ATP Sukhdev Vashisht held exclusive responsibility for approving all building plans and taking action against unauthorized constructions in Jalandhar Central and Jalandhar West.
A Vigilance Bureau officer informed True Scoop that no building plan in Jalandhar Central was approved without political clearance, and specifically, without financial gratification being routed to an Aam Aadmi Party leader.
VB, in their initial investigation, has further found that an alleged involvement of a group of local journalists who acted as unofficial enforcers. This group would reportedly take photos of illegal constructions and then use the images to blackmail property owners. In many cases, negative news coverage would follow, leading to official notices from the corporation, which would then be ‘resolved’ for a price.