After former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi returned from abroad, he is on the radar of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. The bureau is probing corruption against Channi in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds from the state government’s Dastan-e-Shahadat ceremony to his family’s function. Officials said the bureau’s probe is related to verifying the complaint and may also summon the former chief minister to ascertain the facts. Channi, on the other hand, termed the action as political vendetta by the AAP government headed by Bhagwant Mann. He has expressed apprehension that the bureau may arrest him in a false case.
In a complaint filed by a resident of Bathinda, it has been said that Channi as CM had organized Dastane-Shahadat ceremony in his constituency Chamkaur Sahib on 19 November, 2021. The cost of the ceremony was Rs 1.47 crore. It is alleged that inflated bills were presented and public money was embezzled. The money was allegedly used to pay the bills incurred by Channi at his son’s wedding. In this case, the officials are investigating the bank accounts and documents of former CM Channi.
Charanjit Singh Channi was given the post of CM after the former Congress government sidelined the former CM Captain Amrinder Singh. Channi was chief minister of Punjab for three months in 2021.
