Punjab: Former minister Ashu released from jail after 5 months
Punjab: Former food and civil supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Sharma alias Ashu walked out of Nabha jail on Sunday after getting bail in an alleged money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He was in custody for over five months since his arrest. A large number of supporters welcomed him with garlands and bouquets when he arrived in Ludhiana. Former mayors Balkar Singh Sandhu and Rajiv Kaushal were among the prominent personalities who greeted him. Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu of the Punjab and Haryana High Court had granted him bail on December 20. However, Ashu’s release was delayed as the bail orders were not available till today. After the bail bonds were received, the bail bonds were presented before duty magistrate Savreen Sandhu in Jalandhar, who directed the Nabha jail authorities to release him.
The jail superintendent received the orders through email, confirmed Ashu’s relative and lawyer Satwinder Sharma. Ad Ashu was arrested by the ED on August 1 when he appeared at their zonal office in Jalandhar for questioning. Following the investigation, the ED filed a complaint against 28 accused, including the former minister. However, charges are yet to be framed in the case by Jalandhar Additional Sessions Judge DP Singla. In an exclusive interview to The Tribune, Ashu expressed confidence in the judiciary and said he was confident that he would come out clean. Referring to the alleged Rs 2,000 crore foodgrain transportation tender scam, he said, “The much-hyped and exaggerated scam has failed as the high court has already quashed the FIR lodged against me by the vigilance bureau.” Ashu also stressed that the vigilance bureau failed to recover any evidence or money from him despite prolonged police remand. “The case was based on assumptions and there is no concrete evidence. I will continue to fight these baseless allegations,” he said.
