Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reveals name of player from whom Channi's kin 'sought bribe' in lieu of govt job

Tribune News Service

Sanjeev Singh Bariana 

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, May 31 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed a press conference in Chandigarh on Wednesday where he revealed the identity of the player from whom bribe was sought for government job in the previous Congress regime.

Presenting former Ranji Trophy player Jasinder Singh Baidwan as the one who was asked to cough up Rs 2 crore for a PPSC job by nephew of former chief minister Charanjit Channi, Bhagwant Mann said, “It is a pity that he (Channi) swore at a Gurudwara claiming not to have met any player at all?”

CM Mann was addressing a press conference after the deadline that he gave to Channi to reveal details of the case ended today. Jasinder and his father were also present on the occasion.  

ਇੱਕ ਹੋਣਹਾਰ ਖਿਡਾਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਨੌਕਰੀ ਬਦਲੇ ਕਰੋੜਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤ ਮੰਗੀ ਗਈ…ਇਹ ਸੀ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਚਰਨਜੀਤ ਚੰਨੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਰਨਾਮੇ…ਆਮ ਘਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੇ… pic.twitter.com/LnMjeKRFlr

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 31, 2023

Introducing the player, CM Mann said Jasinder had represented the state in the Ranji Trophy. He has also represented the state in the Vijay Merchant trophy, the Cooch Behar trophy, Col CK Naidu Trophy and inter-state in Men (U-23) cricket tournament, besides others. He also has a ‘B’ certificate of the Sports department.  

He said Jasinder is a hard working student as well and scored 198.5 in the PPSC examination, more than three years back, which was far above the cut off percentage in the sports category. “The cut of sports was 132.5. He was allegedly included only in the general quota and not considered in the sports quota where he was the topper,” revealed Mann.

Jasinder Singh and his father first went to former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh telling him that the sports department did not hear their case and cricket was not considered as a sport for a job placement by PPSC in the state.

“Capt Amarinder Singh heard us patiently and said cricket was very much a sport and his family has promoted it for generations. He said our case was genuine and will be sent to the cabinet, however, he quit the office during the process,” said Jasinder. 

Jasinder Singh’s father further stated, “We then went to meet CM Channi in the Punjab Bhavan and were directed to meet his nephew (Jashan). We met him and he told us ‘tuhada kamm bann jayega’ and raised two fingers. We said we would give him Rs 2 lakh immediately. We were asked to come after two days.” 

“When we came after two days, he asked us to come to the car. We said we had the amount in our pocket and when we showed him Rs 2 lakh, he asked us to wait. A little later CM Channi came to the spot. Former cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidhu was also present on the occasion. He spoke to us harshly. He questioned me, ‘Has your son won Olympics or any other major tournament?’ We kept quiet even after the incident because we were still looking for job.” 

CM Mann said “Our government will take up the case of Jasinder and he will be given the job as per the merit of the case. The process has started.” 

“I give one more chance to Channi to inquire about his nephew Jashn. His file has started. We will take the case to a logical conclusion,” he added. Replying to further action expected, CM Mann said “We will take appropriate action. Give us time. All accused will be taken to task”. He also showed a picture where Jasinder met the former CM. 

Meanwhile, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi has denied the allegations levelled against him by Bhagwant Mann. Channi alleged that Jasinder Singh has been promised a government job for levelling allegations against him.

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