The arrest and turn-in of Naib Tehsildar Jaskaran Singh Brar by the Vigilance Bureau (VB) represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the suspected guava orchard compensation fraud in Mohali. At its core, the fraud has garnered significant attention and might have revealed vulnerabilities in the local administrative structure. It involves allegations of improper compensation payments being paid to unqualified beneficiaries.
Brar’s arrest follows a series of investigations that unveiled troubling discrepancies in the distribution of compensation funds. According to VB officials, Brar allegedly colluded with the primary accused to approve payments that were not backed by accurate revenue records. Evidence suggests that some names included in the beneficiary list were added improperly. even after the issuance of notifications under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act. These findings indicate a serious breach of duty by Brar, who is accused of hastily recommending the release of funds despite glaring irregularities.
Compounding the issue, it was reported that Brar disregarded altered Khasra records and processed payments without due diligence, handling the case files multiple times within a single day. Such actions raise questions about the integrity of the land acquisition process and the mechanisms in place to prevent misuse of authority.
Initially, Brar was granted interim relief by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in December, permitting him to cooperate with the investigation. However, his non-cooperative behaviour prompted the VB to challenge his bail application vigorously. After extensive legal proceedings, the High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in March. Subsequently, Brar evaded law enforcement for an extended period, even attempting to seek anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court of India. However, the Supreme Court ruled against him, citing his evasive conduct and lack of accountability.
Ultimately, Brar surrendered to the VB in Mohali and was arrested for further questioning. Arresting him is an important step for the Vigilance Bureau to fight against corruption and regain the confidence of people in administrative practices. In this situation, further scrutiny would be laid on other officials who could have been involved in the scam, leading to possible legal implications for them too in this massive fraud case.
