Assets Worth ₹22.78 Crore of Former Minister Ashu’s Aide Seized in Tender Scam

Jalandhar(Punjab): In a significant move, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized properties worth ₹22.78 crore belonging to Rajdeep Singh Nagra, a close aide of former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. This action comes in connection with a ₹2,000 crore tender scam during the Congress government. ED’s team from Jalandhar carried out the operation, attaching both immovable and movable assets, including real estate, fixed deposits, gold, bullion, and bank accounts across Ludhiana, Mohali, and Khanna.

Seizure of Immovable and Movable Assets
ED seized properties such as houses, shopping complexes, and other assets of Rajdeep Singh Nagra, who is linked to former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. These properties are reportedly valued at ₹22.78 crore, all acquired through money from the tender scam. The assets include FDRs, gold ornaments, bullion, and bank account holdings, which were accumulated through illicit funds related to the scam.

Connection to ₹2,000 Crore Tender Scam
The ED investigation revealed that during Bharat Bhushan Ashu’s tenure as the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs in Punjab, he allegedly favored specific contractors during tender allocations. In exchange for these favors, bribes were taken through intermediaries like Rajdeep Singh Nagra and others, including Rakesh Kumar Singla and officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department.