Ever since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) assumed power in Punjab in March 2022, several of its elected representatives have found themselves entangled in legal issues, ranging from corruption charges to allegations of bribery and misconduct. Raman Arora, the party’s Jalandhar MLA, is the latest to face a vigilance raid on Friday on corruption charges.
Despite the AAP’s emphasis on a clean image and a promise to combat corruption, many of these cases have raised questions about the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability. While some action, such as arrests and sacking from cabinet posts, has been taken, many of the accused MLAs have returned to their public duties, with cases often dragging on without substantial legal conclusions.
Here are a few key cases that have dominated the headlines since the AAP government took charge:
1. Vijay Singla: Mansa MLA who was sacked as minister after arrest on corruption charges
One of the most high-profile cases involving AAP MLAs was that of Vijay Singla, the former health minister of Punjab and the elected representative from Mansa. Singla was arrested on May 24, 2022, just two-and-a-half months after the AAP government was formed. Allegations surfaced that he was demanding a 1 per cent commission from contractors involved in health department tenders. Singla’s arrest came as a blow to AAP’s anti-corruption image. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself had announced that Singla was arrested on charges of corruption, and the party had zero tolerance for corruption.
Singla was sacked from his ministerial position immediately after his arrest, but he was released on bail in July 2022. Since his release, he has continued to remain active in the political scene, especially in his constituency, despite the ongoing investigation. The case is ongoing, and Singla continues to attend political events with CM Mann.
2. Amit Rattan Kotfatta: Bathinda Rural MLA arrested in bribery case
In February 2023, Amit Rattan Kotfatta, the AAP MLA from Bathinda Rural, was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on bribery charges. The case originated from a complaint by Pritpal Kumar, husband of Ghudda village sarpanch Seema Rani. Kumar alleged that Kotfatta and his aide, Rashim Garg, demanded a ₹5 lakh bribe to release a ₹25 lakh development grant for the village. Garg was caught red-handed accepting ₹4 lakh on February 16, and Kotfatta was arrested a week later. Both were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Kotfatta, who was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in April 2023, continues to serve as an MLA, with the case still under investigation.
3. Fauja Singh Sarari: Guru-Har-Sahai MLA and minister who resigned after viral clip
In September 2022, an audio clip surfaced purportedly featuring then food processing minister Fauja Singh Sarari and his officer on special duty, Tarsem Lal Kapoor, discussing plans to extort money from contractors involved in food grain transportation. The clip, which went viral, was leaked. Sarari, the MLA of Guru-Har-Sahai constituency in Ferozepur district, denied the allegations, claiming the audio was doctored.
Despite Opposition pressure, he remained in office until January 7, 2023, when he resigned. No specific reason was given for his resignation. No formal charges have been filed against him, and he continues to stay politically active in his area.
4. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra: Amargarh MLA arrested by ED
Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, the MLA from Amargarh, was arrested in November 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of a money-laundering investigation. He was accused of being involved in a ₹40 crore bank fraud, and his brother was also arrested in connection with the case. The investigation is linked to a money-laundering operation, but the case is still under investigation.
In November 2024, Gajjanmajra was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and it was observed that over Rs 35 crore had already been recovered by the ED in this case. The MLA’s involvement in the case continues to be a contentious issue for the AAP, though it was reasoned that the case was linked to his business and had nothing to do with his political activities.
5. Kulwant Singh: Mohali MLA who faced ED raids
Kulwant Singh, the MLA from Mohali, has faced significant scrutiny following multiple ED raids in April 2025. These raids were part of a larger investigation into the Pearl Agrotech Corporation Limited scam, one of the largest money laundering schemes in India, which involves ₹48,000 crore.
Despite the serious nature of the investigation, Singh continues to stay politically active as an MLA, especially within his constituency.
6. Raman Arora: Jalandhar Central MLA facing vigilance raid
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau conducted a raid at the residence of Raman Arora, the MLA from Jalandhar Central, on Friday in connection with a corruption case involving the issuance of bogus notices. The raid is seen as part of a larger crackdown on corruption within the party, but the outcome of the case remains uncertain.
The development follows a series of corruption-related investigations within the party, further fuelling concerns about the state of governance under AAP. His case is ongoing, with more developments expected in the coming weeks.
Despite serious allegations, the concrete legal action taken against the accused AAP MLAs has been minimal. The fact that many of these MLAs have been granted bail and continue to actively participate in political events raises questions about the efficacy of the party’s promises to clean up politics in Punjab, Pritpal Singh Baliawal, spokesperson of Punjab BJP, told The Indian Express.
Raman Arora, AAP's Jalandhar MLA 
Share
