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The development came after Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, allegedly died by suicide.
Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned from the Cabinet on Saturday.
Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned from the Cabinet on Saturday after his name surfaced in the suicide case of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, district manager (DM) of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar.
The MLA from Patti in Tarn Taran was asked to resign following directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, news agency PTI reported, citing sources. Mann sought and accepted Bhullar’s resignation from the Cabinet, and directed Chief Secretary K A P Sinha to conduct an inquiry into the allegations.
Mann said the resignation was taken to ensure an impartial inquiry and reiterated that the government has “zero tolerance” for negligence or harassment. He directed the chief secretary to conduct a high-level probe into the circumstances leading to the official’s death and assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
The development came after Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation in Amritsar, allegedly died by suicide after consuming a poisonous substance.
In a video that surfaced on social media platforms, Randhawa purportedly claimed he had taken the step out of fear of Bhullar and indicated he would not survive. In the clip, he reportedly claimed he was pressured to award a tender to the minister’s aide, which he refused in favour of a legitimate bidder, demands for a Rs 10 lakh bribe, and alleged physical assault at Bhullar’s residence, where attempts were made to record a compromising video.
The video prompted Opposition parties to demand immediate action. Opposition leaders, including Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, demanded immediate criminal action. Majithia alleged that attempts were made to record a coerced video of the officer after he was physically assaulted at the minister’s place.
The Opposition also claimed that Randhawa had been assaulted at the minister’s residence and was unable to bear the humiliation, allegations that have yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Bhullar denied the allegations, calling them “baseless and false,” and said he stepped down to ensure a fair investigation.
“The allegations being made against me are completely baseless and false, but our party always supports the truth and always stands with the truth. Therefore, I want the allegations made against me to be investigated properly so that the right decision can be made,” Bhullar said in a post on Facebook.
“Therefore, until this investigation is completed, I will request the party and our honourable Chief Minister to accept my resignation from the post of minister so that my post as minister does not become a hindrance in this matter and a proper investigation is carried out in this matter,” he added.
Chandigarh, India, India
March 21, 2026, 1:48 PM IST
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