Transportation scam: HC dismisses ex-min Ashu’s bail petition

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday turned down the plea filed by Bharat Bhushan Ashu, former food and supplies minister, Punjab, for regular bail in a corruption case pertaining to the foodgrain transportation scam. Ashu has been in jail since his arrest on August 22 by the state vigilance bureau, Ludhiana.
Justice Raj Mohan Singh’s order regarding the dismissal of Ashu’s bail was pronounced in open court. The former minister had approached the HC after his bail plea was dismissed by a local court in Ludhiana. On September 27, the HC had reserved its verdict in this case. Apart from Ashu, the HC has also dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of other accused — Surinder Kumar, Jagroop Singh, Sandeep Bhatia and Anil Jain.
As per the allegations against Ashu, he had tried to help some contractors by changing the Punjab Food Grains Labour and Cartage Policy 2020-21 rules. Ashu was arrested in the case of allotting transportation tenders on the fake registration numbers of vehicles. He was arrested from Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu's house in Ludhiana.