VB arrests nephew of Punjab ex-minister Sangat Singh Gilzian

Chandigarh, July 13

The Vigilance Bureau (VB) today arrested Daljit Singh Gilzian, nephew of former Forest Minister Sangat Singh Gilzian, who allegedly acted as a middleman and collected “ill-gotten money” from contractors and also made money through illegal mining, purchase of tree guards, transfers, issuance of permits for felling of khair trees and construction of slip roads for commercial establishments near highways.

A spokesperson for the VB said they recovered a diary, which led to the arrest of Daljit. Forest contractor Harminder Singh Hammi had allegedly given Rs 5 lakh as a bribe to former minister Gilzian through Kulwinder Singh for the issuance of a permit for axing khair trees at Nada village in Mohali district, said the VB. He had also bribed the Range Officer, the Block Officer and a guard.

The VB said a case had been registered against former forest ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Sangat Singh Gilzian and others on June 6.

The spokesperson said documentary and technical evidence obtained by the VB showed that Gilzian’s nephew was directly involved in government affairs.

He said Daljit had been issuing instructions directly to department officials for vested interests. Besides, a WhatsApp chat had been obtained, which showed that his nephew had used his influence in clearing payments.

The spokesperson said Daljit was in constant touch with the other accused, affecting the investigation.