The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday took the former forest minister and senior Congress leader in Punjab Sadhu Singh Dharamsot into custody under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The arrest was made in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged forest scam in the state, adding another layer of complexity to Dharamsot's legal troubles.
The 64-year-old seasoned politician, with a five-time MLA record, was apprehended in Jalandhar, marking a severe turn in the case. The ED had previously conducted raids in November thje previous year at the residences of Dharamsot, along with another Forest Minister Sangat Singh Gilzian, and several forest department officials.
The investigation revolve around accusations of corruption within the state forest department, focusing on alleged bribery in the issuance of permits for tree felling, as well as in matters related to departmental transfers and postings. The ED has been meticulously probing the financial aspects linked to these purported irregularities.
Dharamsot, who previously faced legal complications, was also arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau last year in a case connected to alleged possession of disproportionate assets. His legal entanglements seem to be multiplying, putting the Congress leader under heightened scrutiny.
Representing the Nabha assembly seat, Dharamsot has been a prominent figure in Punjab politics, but the allegations surrounding the forest scam have cast a shadow over his political legacy. Meanwhile, Sangat Singh Gilzian, the other forest minister implicated in the investigation, is an MLA from the Urmar seat in Hoshiarpur district.