Bizman accuses Mundian of harassment, BJP, SAD slam AAP govt | Chandigarh News

Chandigarh: The BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday launched a scathing attack on Hardeep Singh Mundian after an entrepreneur from his ancestral Hyatpur Kotli village in the Mukerian assembly constituency accused the minister of “harassing” him over a “pending” payment for a trolley.Mundian allegedly got the trolley manufactured by entrepreneur Malkit Singh.Addressing a press conference at the Punjab BJP headquarters here in the presence of Union minister of state for railways and food processing industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and the BJP MLA from Mukerian, Jangi Lal Mahajan, Malkit accused Mundian of harassing him after he asked for the payment.While Bittu said the issue would be raised with the Punjab governor, Mahajan demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter and called for ensuring the safety of the victim’s family.Malkit and his brother reportedly own Zaildar Innovation, a startup that manufactures innovative trailers helping lower-horsepower tractors transport farm produce from the fields to the road.Malkit claimed there was a “two-year waiting time for their product”, and Mundian, who had approached them two years ago, got one manufactured upon requisition.The minister probably wanted to gift the trailer to someone, Malkit recalled. He said after the manufacturing, the trailer, costing between Rs 6.5 lakh and Rs 7 lakh, including Rs 75,000 to Rs 90,000 for the technology that made it different from normal trailers, was delivered after a year of requisition.Malkit claimed that all hell broke loose against the family when he went to the minister asking for the payment, a year after the delivery, and the minister replied by saying that “this much is my commission, which I deserve”.Malkit also alleged that the minister offered to put his share in the business, which he denied, saying it was a “small business”.Malkit further alleged that Hyatpur Kotli was the ancestral village of the minister, and the latter made a section of villagers sign papers against him and his fabrication unit, raising complaints of pollution, etc.He also alleged that his family faced an attack from gangsters and questioned the functioning of the local police. A purported video of a conversation between him, Mundian and former minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal was also played during the press conference. In the video, Mundian could be heard using an inappropriate word while Dhaliwal dissuaded the minister.Malkit said his family members, including children, were afraid to move out, go to school or visit a gurdwara.Mundian did not respond to multiple calls on his phone, nor did he reply to the text messages. Dhaliwal was also unavailable for a comment.Referring to the allegations against Mundian, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said “extortion by goons” was being carried out under a “political patronage in Punjab”.Referring to the alleged suicide committed by the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation district manager, Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, Majithia said the case already raised serious questions about pressure and misuse of authorities within the govt.He claimed that instead of learning lessons, the pattern was continuing. Majithia said, “After allegations linked to Laljit Singh Bhullar, similar accusations have now surfaced against Mundian, who is being accused of extorting a local industrialist and unleashing gangster elements against businessmen”.MSID:: 130173010 413 |