ACCUSED RK SINGLA DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLY DECLARED PO

Chandigarh March 6 – The CJM Court SBS Nagar has declared R.K. Singla, Deputy Director of Food and Civil Supplies Punjab, an accused proclaimed offender (PO) in a case related to the allotment of labor and transportation contracts for food grains in the grain markets of SBS Nagar district.

Today, the state VB spokesperson revealed that a Ludhiana court had declared Rakesh Kumar Singla, previously identified as the accused, as a PO in the food grain transportation scam, which the VB had uncovered in the grain markets of Ludhiana district. Additionally, the VB police station in Jalandhar range had already registered FIR No. 18, dated 22-09-2022, under sections 7, 8, 12, 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC, against seven accused, including RK Singla, former food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and contractors.

He further informed that the said accused in connivance with the former minister and department officers/officials had awarded tenders to contractors at higher costs by taking bribes. During investigation it has also came to light that the contractors have submitted forged fake documents pertaining to registration numbers of vehicles like tractors, harvesters combines, two wheelers etc. for transportation of food grains from Mandis to go downs, he added.

The spokesperson stated that the competent court has presented the charge sheet (Challan) of contractor Tellu Ram, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and his PA Meenu Malhotra among the seven accused in this case.  Accused Rakesh Bhaskar, district food and civil supplies controller has passed away.

During the trial, RK Singla, the accused, failed to appear before the court, leading to his declaration as a proclaimed offender. Another supplementary chargesheet, involving RK Singla along with accused contractors Ajay Pal and Yash Pal, will be presented in court shortly.