Akali Dal seeks CBI probe into funding of Punjab minister's associates
Chandigarh: Punjab's opposition Akali Dal on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the funding of sand mining auctions of Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh's associates by the main accused in the Rs 1,000 crore irrigation scam.
It also sought an Enforcement Directorate inquiry.
Akali Dal MPs Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhundur said the central agencies should also probe the release of Rs 4 crore to contractor Gurinder Singh, who was the main accused in the irrigation scam, by Rana Gurjit's ministry.
"How can the Irrigation Ministry release money to a contractor who is being probed and has even been arrested? The contractor's direct involvement in the sand mine auctions on behalf of Rana Gurjit's associates alone can explain the undue favours given to him by the Irrigation Ministry," they said in a statement here.
They said in both cases the minister was liable for criminal prosecution as facts revealed that irrigation scam money had been used to fund personal business interests of his close associates and partner J.S. Randhawa.
"There is no way he (Rana Gurjit) can continue as a minister and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should dismiss him immediately," they added.
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Two more cases registered against Kharat; over 100 complaints received over phone
Nashik (Maharashtra) (PTI): Two more cases have been registered against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, police said on Saturday, adding that the Special Investigation Team which conducting a probe against him has received more than 100 complaints over phone.
With this, a total of ten FIRs, eight for alleged sexual assault or exploitation and two for cheating, have been registered against Kharat at Sarkarwada police station in the city.
Kharat, who was visited by several prominent Maharashtra politicians over the years, was arrested on March 18 after a woman alleged that he had repeatedly raped her for three years.
On Friday, another FIR was registered against him on a complaint filed by a woman, officials said.
The woman met Kharat for guidance as her relations with the husband were strained and the family was having financial troubles, she told police.
Kharat allegedly told her that she would have to do his every bidding if she wanted a solution to her problems, and sexually exploited her between March 2022 to 2024.
The second FIR registered on Friday was based on a cheating complaint filed by Rajendra Bhagwat, a cloth merchant from Nevasa.
He wanted his business to do well and met Kharat on a relative's advice, Bhagwat told police.
Kharat allegedly took a gold ring and a few gemstones from him and gave him a ring and a gemstone in return, asking him to wear them.
As per Bhagwat, he paid Rs 2.62 lakh for this, but later realised that the ring and gemstone given by Kharat were fake, and he had been duped.
The SIT, which has published two phone numbers for those who want to give any information about Kharat's criminal activities, has received more than 100 complaints in the last five days, most of them from women, a police official said.
But very few of them are coming forward to lodge written complaints, he added.
Kharat is also suspected to be involved in a Hawala racket, the official said.
