Amarinder questioned by Vigilance team in Ludhiana City Centre scam

Patiala, May 28 (UNI) The Punjab Vigilance Bureau today questioned former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in a Rs 30 billion corruption case relating to construction of the sprawling Ludhiana City Centre.

Mr Amarinder Singh, accompanied by his lawyers and brother, arrived in two cars at the Circuit House complex where he was questioned by the Vigilance team.

Mr Singh was given a set of 56 queries by vigilance officials a fortnight ago and was expected to reply by Monday. The queries pertained to his role and that of his family members, ministers, close associates and his government in the case.

The Vigilance Bureau had registered a case of cheating and other offences against Mr Amarinder Singh, former Local Government Minister Jagjit Singh and 17 others after the SAD-BJP Government came to power in Punjab in March last.

They have been accused of causing a loss of Rs 30 billion to the state ex-chequer by allotting the construction of Asia's largest city centre complex in Ludhiana town - with over 100,000 square feet of covered area to Delhi-based builder Today Homes at a lower cost.

The Vigilance Bureau has alleged that a bribe of Rs 1 billion was paid to Mr Amarinder Singh and others by Today Homes to get the contract.

Vigilance officials recently arrested businessman Chetan Gupta from New Delhi and claimed that a pen drive found on him had revealed how the City Centre bribe money was transacted in foreign accounts held by Mr Amarinder Singh and his family.

They claimed that the bribe was routed out of India through 'hawala', money laundering, channels.

The vigilance officials have also sought answers from Mr Amarinder Singh regarding Today Homes' officials sponsoring the trips of his foreign guests, especially from Pakistan, and also his own foreign jaunts.

Mr Amarinder Singh, who went to London for medical treatment immediately after he was out of power in March, has sought a stay on his arrest till July 31 from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His son and son-in-law have also sought bail from the High Court.

UNI