Punjab Health Minister Sacked From Cabinet, Arrested On Corruption Charges

Chandigarh: Punjab Health Minister Vijay Singla has been apprehended by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Punjab police on May 24 over charges of corruption levelled against him.

Prior to his arrest, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had sacked Vijay Singla from his cabinet.

Serious charges of corruption were slapped against the Punjab Health Minister and he was accused of allegedly seeking "1 per cent cut in allotment of tenders and purchase of goods related to the department".

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reacted to the incident by saying that only he was aware of this case and the opposition and the media had no clue about it. He went on to say that he could have concealed it if he wanted to but ultimately decided against it as doing so would have failed his conscience and would also have been a betrayal to the lakhs of people who placed their trust in him.

The Punjab CM added that he is taking strict action against Vijay Singla and is sacking him from his cabinet and has also directed the police to take action against the Punjab Health Minister.

Bhagwant Mann further added that Vijay Singla was involved in corruption in his department and the Punjab Health Minister has also admitted to it.

Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann assured that the newly inducted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab will adhere to a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.

"AAP has a zero-tolerance policy against corruption," Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said.

It is worth noting that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had sacked his food and civil supplies minister back in 2015 after a video of him seeking a bribe was shown to Kejriwal.

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