Ex-Punjab minister arrested over government official's suicide video

26-Mar-2026

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Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has been arrested in connection with the alleged suicide of a Punjab State Warehousing Corporation official, following mounting pressure from the victim’s family and a widening political row.

Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, district manager of the corporation in Amritsar, allegedly died after consuming poison on the early morning of March 21. A purported video that surfaced on social media showed him accusing Bhullar of harassment and saying he had consumed “celphos” out of fear of the minister. A CCTV clip later emerged, purportedly showing Randhawa consuming the poisonous substance.

The arrest came after Randhawa’s family issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Punjab government, warning of protests if Bhullar was not held. His wife, Upinder Kaur, said she would take to the streets with her children if no action was taken. The family had also refused to allow post-mortem and cremation until Bhullar’s arrest.