Ex-minister Ashu walks out of jail after 5 months

Former Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Sharma, aka Ashu, walked out of the Nabha jail on Sunday after being granted bail in an alleged money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He had been in custody for over five months since his arrest.

On reaching Ludhiana, a large number of supporters welcomed him with garlands and bouquets. Former Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu and Rajiv Kaushal were among the prominent figures who congratulated him.

Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had granted him bail on December 20. However, Ashu’s release was delayed as the bail orders were not available until today. Once received, bail bonds were submitted before Duty Magistrate Savreen Sandhu at Jalandhar, who directed the Nabha jail authorities to release him. The jail superintendent received the orders via email, confirmed Ashu’s relative and lawyer Satwinder Sharma.

Ashu was arrested by the ED on August 1, when he appeared at their zonal office in Jalandhar for questioning. Following investigation, the ED filed a complaint against 28 accused, including the ex-minister. However, charges in the case were yet to be framed by Additional Sessions Judge DP Singla at Jalandhar.

Speaking exclusively to The Tribune, Ashu expressed faith in judiciary, asserting that he was confident that he would come out clean. Referring to the alleged Rs 2,000-crore foodgrain transportation tender scam, he said, “The much hyped and over-projected scam has fallen flat as the HC has already quashed the FIRs registered against me by the Vigilance Bureau.”

Ashu also emphasised that despite a prolonged police remand, the Vigilance Bureau failed to recover any incriminating evidence or money from him. “The case was built on assumptions and lacks any concrete evidence. I will continue to fight these baseless allegations,” he added.