Arrested AAP MLA Raman Arora sent to five-day remand
The Vigilance Bureau had sought a 10-day police remand, but the court granted five days, said Arora's counsel Darshan Singh.
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Throughout the proceedings, in the court, Arora was seen smiling. (File Photo)A court in Jalandhar Saturday sent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raman Arora, arrested for allegedly indulging in corruption in connivance with an official of the Municipal Corporation, to vigilance Bureau remand for five days.
The Vigilance Bureau had sought a 10-day police remand, but the court granted five days, said Arora’s counsel Darshan Singh. Throughout the proceedings, in the court, Arora was seen smiling.
The Jalandhar Range Office of the Vigilance Bureau Friday arrested Arora, 54, after carrying out a raid at his house in Jalandhar and questioning him. Arora represents the Jalandhar Central Assembly constituency.
The case is linked to the May 14 arrest of an Assistant Town Planner (ATP), Sukhdev Vahishth. The ATP was arrested following a complaint from three office bearers of the Engineers and Building Designer Association, Jalandhar, in which it was alleged that Vashisht often demands illegal gratification from them, and threatens people that their buildings would be sealed and demolished.
“During the search of the Vashisht’s office premises and residence, hundreds of official notices for unauthorised construction and related matters were recovered,” a Vigilance official said adding that further investigation revealed that a unique modus operandi was being followed by Vashisht in connivance with MLA Arora “for extorting money from people of the (Jalandhar) city and indulging in corruption”.
“Vashisht, at the behest and in consultation with MLA Arora would identify constructed or under-construction buildings, both commercial as well as residential and serve them notices for alleged violations. When the building owners or their representatives would approach the concerned official, he would direct them to the said MLA. The said MLA would then settle the matter by taking illegal gratification,” the vigilance official added.
The spokesperson said that “upon receiving an affirmative message from the MLA, the files would be consigned by the accused ATP and no action initiated. Nearly 75-80 such notices related to the said nexus have been recovered. The same modus operandi would be followed in clearing other files too,” he added.
Meanwhile, sources said that some Punjab Police officers and officials from other government departments are also under Vigilance scrutiny in connection with the case.
Sources said that Vigilance team had recovered several documents pertaining to the properties in Jalandhar and its surroundings from Arora’s residence.
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