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Vijay singla Graft case: Voice sample did not match: Mann after clean chit to former minister

Based on video evidence, Mann had sacked Singla and stated that he had directed the police to register a case against him. The CM had said Singla confessed to his crime.

Mohali police had registered a case against Singla and his OSD under sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. (Express File Photo)

Three years after sacking his Cabinet colleague Dr Vijay Singla, following the allegations of corruption, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that Singla got a clean chit “because the voice sample in the case did not match with his voice during the forensic examination”.

Asked whether Singla would be re-inducted into the Cabinet after the clean chit, Mann said, “No, he will not be re-inducted. Induction and removal in the Cabinet keep happening. We have 15 ministers in the Cabinet.”

Mann was responding to a question about why Singla was given a clean chit by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau when he was dropped from his Cabinet, following allegations of seeking a bribe, with his voice being recorded in a sting operation.

On May 24, 2022, Mann had sacked health minister Singla, following the allegation that he had demanded “a one per cent cut in tenders’ allotment and purchase of goods related to the department”.

Based on video evidence, Mann had sacked Singla and stated that he had directed the police to register a case against him. The CM had said Singla confessed to his crime.

The complaint was made by a superintending engineer posted on deputation with the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), Rajinder Singh, who had conducted the sting operation on the minister and his OSD Pardeep Kumar.

Mohali police had registered a case against Singla and his OSD under sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The FIR had named Singla as the health minister of Punjab. Later, both were arrested.

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In the video message, Mann had said, “Through his sacking, I also wanted to convey the message of zero tolerance for corruption to everyone, including AAP’s own people.”

The Vigilance Bureau’s closure report last month came as a huge embarrassment to the state government. Besides, it also gave opposition parties the much-needed ammo to fire fresh salvos at the AAP government.

While sacking him, Mann had said, “A case was brought to my notice that a minister in my Cabinet was seeking one per cent commission for each tender and purchase related to his department. Only I knew about this case; neither the media nor the opposition knew it. Had I wanted, then I would have covered it up. Had I done so, I would not have failed my conscience, but also those lakhs of people who trusted in me. I am taking strong action against him. I am sacking him from my Cabinet and directing the police to take action against him. He has confessed to this crime.”

“As you all know, we are an honest government. We will not tolerate corruption of even Re 1. Whenever I visit people in villages, towns and cities, I see hope in their eyes. I saw they had hope that there would be someone who would pull them out of corruption. When I was to be announced the chief ministerial face, AAP’s revolutionary chief Arvind Kejriwal had said that he would not tolerate bribery and corruption, and I had promised him that we would run this government the same way. I assured him that we would not spare anyone involved in corruption,” Mann had added.

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The CM had said that the AAP government had “zero tolerance for corruption”.

“This has happened for the second time in the country. In 2015, Kejriwal had sacked his food and civil supplies minister after a video of him seeking a bribe was shown to him. I want to tell everyone that I would not tolerate corruption for even Re 1. So, straighten yourself. We had taken an oath at martyr Bhagat Singh’s Khatkar Kalan village, we had promised that we would run a corruption-free government. This is a historic decision of the AAP.”

During the party’s campaign in different states, Mann had raised Singla’s corruption case and his government’s stand of zero tolerance for corruption, even against ministers.

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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