In a major development, former Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural has shared another big disclosure related to the recent arrest of Assistant Town Planner, ATP, by the Vigilance Bureau. He shared a video in which he addressed the concern and outlined that the next target for him and the Vigilance officers would be a Hindi-speaking local journalist who was working with the ATP in this corruption case.
In the video, he could be heard saying, “Hindi-speaking journalist used to earn notes along with ATP, I have all the recordings.”
The arrest of ATP Sukhdev Vashishtha -
Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Sukhdev Vashishtha, who is posted at the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in a rapid operation on Wednesday afternoon. A special vigilance team from Ludhiana arrested him near the Improvement Trust office when he was on his way to the corporation office.
According to the reports, the authorities have ordered a 2-day remand for ATP Vashishtha in this corruption case.
Reportedly, Sukhdev was operating the corruption racket with the alleged support of known journalists and politicians of Punjab. The names of the reported journalists and politicians have not been disclosed until the probe is functional to maintain confidentiality.
Sukhdev will be produced in court on Thursday, and officials are going to request his remand for interrogation. A case has been filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, although no confirmation was made officially by Vigilance until Thursday morning.
An officer of the Vigilance Bureau revealed to Truescoop that the case has been registered and investigations are underway. The officer also stated that the names of some known politicians and journalists are suspected to be connected with the case, which has yet to be revealed.
ATP Sukhdev's role and sectors under his control
Sukhdev was on deputation from Pathankot, although he had joined the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation on 20 February. He had been responsible for Sectors 13, 14, 17, 18, and 19, which are under the central and west sectors of the city.
At about 6 PM on Wednesday, the Vigilance officials searched his office (Room No. 19, first floor) in the corporation complex. Officials also sought records of buildings sealed or brought down during his rule to identify likely abuse of power. The team went back to the office at about 9:15 PM.