Punjab In a significant development in Punjab’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Mahesh Makhija, a close aide of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raman Arora, in connection with an alleged corruption and extortion case. This arrest marks the fourth in a case that has already seen the MLA himself, along with other key officials, behind bars, signaling a determined push by the Vigilance Bureau to dismantle corruption networks within the state administration.
Mahesh Makhija was apprehended on Friday night from a relative’s factory in Phagwara. Produced before a local court, the VB sought a seven-day remand for extensive interrogation, citing the recovery of a “huge sum of cash” from his possession and the need for further investigation into properties and illicit activities linked to the case. While the exact amount recovered has not been publicly disclosed, VB sources indicate that crucial documents were also seized during a subsequent search of Makhija’s residence, hinting at a broader scope of financial irregularities.
Makhija’s arrest is pivotal as he was named in the First Information Report (FIR) alongside MLA Arora’s son, Rajan, and his daughter’s father-in-law, Raju Madaan, suggesting a potential family-linked nexus in the alleged corruption. MLA Raman Arora was arrested on May 23 following a month-long VB investigation into an alleged extortion racket. The investigations have revealed a concerning pattern where Arora and Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Sukhdev Vashisht, who is also in judicial custody, allegedly identified ongoing or completed commercial and residential construction projects, served them violation notices, and subsequently settled matters by collecting bribes. Several builders and developers have reportedly been directed to meet the MLA directly to resolve issues raised in these notices, indicating a structured and organized scheme of extortion.
During the seven-hour raid on MLA Arora’s residence on May 23, the Vigilance Bureau reportedly seized ₹6 lakh in cash, 1.2 kg of gold ornaments, and multiple incriminating documents, providing substantial evidence to support the corruption allegations. The authorities have further expanded their investigation by summoning property records from the revenue department and recording statements from various victims, including hospital owners, restaurateurs, and real estate developers, who allegedly fell prey to this extortion racket. VB officials also suspect that Arora’s son, Rajan, was allegedly involved in managing land and property dealings related to the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, and multiple unverified properties in the names of family and friends of the main accused are currently under scrutiny.
This ongoing anti-corruption drive by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau reflects a firm commitment by the state government to eradicate graft from public life. Recent actions by the VB have seen several arrests of government officials, including a police Sub-Inspector (SI) caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 in a separate case on May 30, underscoring the widespread nature of the crackdown. These actions align with the AAP government’s core promise of providing a corruption-free administration and ensuring transparency in governance.
The unfolding developments in the Raman Arora case, particularly with the arrest of his aide and the allegations of involvement of family members, suggest a far-reaching probe that could expose deeper layers of corruption within the administration. The Vigilance Bureau’s relentless pursuit of these cases is aimed at restoring public trust in government institutions and sending a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated, regardless of the perpetrator’s position or political affiliation. As investigations continue, the public awaits further revelations that could significantly impact the political landscape and governance in Punjab.
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