Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday addressed the state after Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau. CM Mann outlined the Punjab Vigilance Bureau's action and stated that his government will spare no corrupt individual, even if he is from his party. Notably, Arora is from the Aam Aadmi Party. Below is what Punjab CM Mann said on Raman Arora's arrest-
"We came to power in 2022 after people expressed their belief in us. We came to power with a promise that we would not tolerate corruption. Whosoever the person might be, whether a Police officer or a political leader, corruption will not be tolerated. Today, again, people have seen our zero tolerance against corruption. Our party does not see who is doing the corruption. Our fight is not against a particular person, it is against the corrupt system. Corruption has made our system hollow. Hence, AAP has always maintained a zero tolerance policy against corruption. We will clean the system."
"Pulling out fake issues in documents and harassing small hawkers, shopkeepers by calling them to the office and then blackmailing them and taking money. Such kind of acts will not be tolerated. We assure the people that the government stands with them. I appeal to the people to reach us if any higher authorities or any political leaders are doing corruption. It is our duty to take action. Even if he or she belongs to my own party, come to us with complaints. We will not spare anyone involved in corruption."
MLA Raman Arora's Arrest
A team of the Vigilance Bureau raided Arora's house in Ashok Nagar at 8.45 am. When the vigilance team arrived, MLA Arora was going somewhere. Vigilance detained him from a temple near his house. After this, the team took him inside the house. After getting solid evidence, the MLA was arrested. The vigilance raid is still going on. Vigilance Bureau's raid on MLA Raman Arora's residence is seen as the biggest crackdown on corruption by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government. Raman Arora's arrest is a clear example of the Mann Government's zero tolerance policy against corruption even within its own party ranks.
MLA Raman Arora has been arrested in fake Nagar Nigam notices, extortion & digital scams. The MLA's case is related to the ATP arrested a few days ago. As per sources, the MLA is accused of sending notices to people through Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. Then he got the notices quashed by taking money. Preparations for action against Arora had already started. Arora's security was withdrawn a few days ago.
Punjab Vigilance Bureau Chief Praveen Kumar Sinha confirmed Raman Arora was arrested at 3:45 pm, and now he is being taken to the VB office. An FIR has also been registered in this case. Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann will also come live at 4:30 pm in which he is likely to address the issue