Punjab CM orders probe into Gurjit charges

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered a judicial probe into the mining contracts allegedly bagged by four former employees of state minister Rana Gurjit Singh.

The Income Tax Department has also initiated a probe into the mining contracts.

An official statement said Rana has offered to resign in order to ensure a free and fair investigation into the matter, however the chief minister asked him to continue till the outcome of the judicial probe.

A one man judicial commission has been set up to probe the allegations of impropriety against the state irrigation and power minister in the multi-crore sand mining auctions held recently by the state government, an official spokesman said.

The inquiry would be conducted by Justice (Retd) J S Narang and he would submit his report within one month.

The terms of reference for the inquiry commission, formed under the Commission of Inquiry Act, would be notified soon, the release said.

Rana has denied any links of his company, Rana Sugars Limited, with the auctions.