HC dismisses writ petition of contractor Gurinder Singh involved in irrigation scam

HC dismisses writ petition of contractor Gurinder Singh involved in irrigation scam

Vigilance successfully contests case in higher court

Nabaz-e-Punjab Bureau, Chandigarh August 12:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the writ petition of contractor Gurinder Singh involved in a scam pertaining to irrigation department without giving any relief to the applicant on his arrest. This contractor has filed an application in the court for issuance of directions to Punjab Vigilance Bureau to give 7 days prior notice before arresting him if any FIR is registered pertaining to ongoing vigilance enquiry.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the State Vigilance Bureau said the Bureau has initiated an enquiry in number of works allotted through e-tenders by Drainage and Kandi Area wings of Irrigation Department Punjab to probe into the allegations in allotment of tenders. He said the vigilance teams have found that single contractor Gurinder Singh was favoured by senior officers of the department by allotting him more than 60 percent of total works by cost in the past.
He further added that many works were allotted to Gurinder Singh & Company at higher rates by way of single tenders ensured by tailor made conditions and clubbing of works. “During the scrutiny of documents, it has come to light that annual turnover of Gurinder Singh & Company have shoot up from Rs. 4.50 crores to about Rs. 300 crores within a short span of time”, he revealed.
However proprietor of this firm Gurinder Singh had filed a petition in the High Court requesting for issuance of directions to Bureau to give 7 days prior notice before arresting him if any FIR is registered pertaining to ongoing vigilance enquiry. The spokesperson informed that the Vigilance Bureau has contested in the court that Gurinder Singh’s intention was only to hamper the ongoing enquiry so as veracity of the facts could be suppressed. The HC after hearing arguments of both sides found no merit in the petition of accused Gurinder Singh and has dismissed his appeal without giving any relief to the applicant.