Tehsildar's Rapid Registrations Lead to Immediate Suspension in Punjab

Hoshiarpur (The Uttam Hindu) :  In a major crackdown on alleged corruption within the rural development administration, the Punjab government has suspended Sukhjinder Singh, Senior Assistant (Accounts), who was also holding additional charge as Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Mahilpur, on charges of embezzlement running into crores of rupees. According to an official communiqué issued by Ajit Balaji Joshi, Administrative Secretary of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, the suspension of Sukhjinder Singh is with immediate effect. During the suspension period, his headquarters will be shifted to the RDA-1 Branch Headquarters, located in Vikas Bhawan, SAS Nagar (Mohali).

The Allegations

The scandal came to light following a complaint by Jai Gopal Dhiman, a social activist who exposed the financial irregularities. According to the complaint, Sukhjinder Singh, during his tenure as BDPO (additional charge), allegedly orchestrated a financial scam exceeding ₹1 crore, misappropriating government funds meant for rural development schemes in collaboration with other colleagues. The allegations suggest a deep-rooted network of financial misconduct, potentially involving multiple officials, which led to the siphoning of public funds earmarked for grassroots development.

Whistleblower’s Demands

Jai Gopal Dhiman, who played a pivotal role in unearthing the scam, expressed his gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain, Punjab’s Chief Secretary, and senior officials of the Rural Development Department for taking swift and decisive action in suspending the accused. However, Dhiman emphasized that mere suspension is not enough. He demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial and thorough investigation. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Dhiman said. “There could be many more such scams buried within the system. If the case is not taken up by the CBI, we will be forced to intensify our protest.”

Departmental Action and Future Course

Sources from the Rural Development Department confirm that an internal inquiry is already underway and more suspensions or disciplinary actions may follow based on the findings. The administration is also considering a forensic audit of past transactions and allocations made during Sukhjinder Singh’s tenure. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state administration, raising serious questions about financial transparency, monitoring mechanisms, and accountability within government departments dealing with rural development.

Public Reaction

The public response, especially from the Hoshiarpur and Mahilpur regions, has been one of outrage and disappointment. Local leaders and panchayat representatives are demanding stronger action against those misusing their positions of power. The case is being closely monitored by both state-level authorities and citizen watchdog groups, with further developments expected in the coming weeks.