Bail for Badal aide rocks meet, Punjab CM assures probe into delay by Vigilance

Since the Chief Minister also is the Home Minister of the state, the Vigilance Bureau comes under him. The VB had booked Kolianwali on July 1 for amassing wealth not proportionate to his sources of income.

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Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab with other leaders on the first day of Punjab Budget Session. (Express Photo: Kamleshwar Singh)

A day after a Mohali court granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Dyal Singh Kolianwali, a close aide of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, in a disproportionate assets case due to delay by Vigilance Bureau in presenting the challan to the court, the issue rocked Punjab Cabinet meeting on Sunday and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh assured the Cabinet that he would get the delay inquired into.

The issue was raised by Cooperatives Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa soon after Cabinet meeting started. He is learnt to have said that it was shocking that the Vigilance Bureau did not present the challan in the case within 60 days of Kolianwali’s arrest, which led to the court granting him bail. He is also learnt to have said that such developments were damaging for the party as they lend credence to belief that Akalis had a tacit understanding with the Congress. Besides, it was an embarrassment for the government.

Since the Chief Minister also is the Home Minister of the state, the Vigilance Bureau comes under him. The VB had booked Kolianwali on July 1 for amassing wealth not proportionate to his sources of income. Kolianwali had managed to give the state police a slip and proceedings were on to declare him a proclaimed offender till the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail in December last year and asked him to surrender within a week. He then surrendered on December 14 and was lodged in Nabha jail ever since.

Kolianwali, who started his political career as a village sarpanch became one of the most influential leaders of Lambi, the constituency of senior Badal. When Amarinder threw his hat in the ring to contest Assembly election from Lambi in 2017, in his first rally he had warned Kolianwali not to scare away Congress workers.

With this background, the VB inaction is a cause of resentment in Congress. The fact that an aide of Amarinder is considered very close to a functionary of Vigilance Bureau adds fuel to the fire, said a Congress leader.

When VB has inquired into Kolianwali’s assets during the period between 2009 and 2014, when he was holding key posts in the government, it found he had a total income of Rs 2.39 crore. During the check period, accused had allegedly spent Rs 4.10 crore on various moveable and immoveable properties, including other expenditures, which was more than 70 per cent of his actual earning. He is a former member of the Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board (PSSSB) and former chairman of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation.

He is also a defaulter of Punjab Cooperative Bank of Rs one crore. After taking over as Minister of Cooperatives, Randhawa had tightened noose against defaulters. Kolianwali’s family had given a post-dated cheque of Rs 33 lakh which was not honoured. Randhawa is preparing to start proceedings against him in that case also.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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