Chandigarh: The Vigilance Bureau Punjab has named former Congress MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur in connection with the multi-crore panchayat scam at Shambhu block in Patiala district. The Punjab government has also issued a look out circular against former MLA Jalalpur to prevent the him from flying abroad.
The vigilance team suspects that former MLA Madan Lal has moved out of Punjab and the vigilance has intensified the search for him. The Vigilance has launched a separate probe into the creation of assets disproportionate to the sources of income.
Jalalpur had returned from Australia a while ago and was now looking to go abroad again, but the government has informed all the airports about Jalalpur through a look out circular.
It may be recalled that during the year 2019 to 2022, PUDA had acquired 1103 acres of land in five villages of Shambhu block – Akri, Sehra, Sehri, Takhtumajra and Pabra – for the Amritsar-Kolkata integrated corridor, for which compensation of about Rs 285 crore was given and the tenants of these villages received Rs 97.8 crore separately.
Apart from the Rural Development and Panchayats Department, the Vigilance Bureau Patiala had investigated the matter.
Vigilance Range Patiala had registered FIR No. 12 on May 26, 2022 and so far 34 persons, government and private, have been named in the case, including 10 private firms.
In the development works carried out by the panchayats of these villages with the compensation amount of crores of rupees, crores of rupees have been embezzled and irregularities have been committed. However, there are also reports of the High Court staying the use of the compensation amount. This scam of crores of rupees has taken place in the villages of Halqa Ghanaur.
According to important sources, the contractor of a private firm has admitted to giving the share to former MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur.
Jalalpur had gone to Australia some time ago, from where he wanted to go to the US, but the former MLA could not get a visa. The son of the former MLA has gone to the US. Now that Jalalpur was preparing to go abroad again, the Punjab government has issued a look out circular.
The vigilance is also tracing Jalalpur’s overseas business as the vigilance suspects he has a marriage palace in the US.