Congress MP Raises Concerns Over Organized Crime Influence in Punjab

Chandigarh, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : Congress MP Sukjinder Singh Randhawa from Gurudaspur has reached out to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, expressing serious concerns about the influence of organized crime and gangsters in the areas of Dera Baba Nanak and Gurudaspur. He has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into financial transactions and the sources of funds involved.

In his letter, Randhawa highlighted the alarming situation where the presence of organized crime and gangsters is transforming social, economic, and political dynamics in the Dera Baba Nanak region. He specifically pointed to the growing influence of Rajvinder Kaur, the chairperson of the Dera Baba Nanak block committee, who is related to imprisoned gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

Referencing a report, Randhawa noted that significant amounts of money are being spent and distributed under the guise of collective marriages for poor girls, sports events, social programs, and other community activities. He remarked that the scale of these expenditures appears excessive compared to any known legitimate income sources. Such financial distribution is not only fostering social goodwill but also establishing a vast network of influence at the village level, converting financial resources into political and social capital. He demanded an investigation into the sources of the substantial funds being distributed by Rajvinder Kaur and her associates in local villages.

Randhawa alleged that some of these funds might originate from drug trafficking, extortion, or other organized criminal activities linked to the Bhagwanpuria network. He insisted that these allegations warrant a fair financial inquiry and that local authorities should not overlook them.

He urged Finance Minister Sitharaman to initiate an investigation through the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to trace the sources and trails of these funds. Additionally, he called for the Income Tax Department to scrutinize the declared incomes, assets, bank accounts, cash transactions, and expenditures of the individuals involved.

Randhawa concluded his letter by requesting immediate intervention and collaboration with the ED, Income Tax Department, and other competent agencies to prevent the strengthening of this criminal-social nexus in Dera Baba Nanak and throughout the Gurudaspur district.