By IANS
Patiala : The Punjab vigilance bureau Monday started questioning former Congress chief minister Amarinder Singh in connection with a Rs.30 billion ($740 million) corruption case relating to construction of the sprawling Ludhiana City Centre.
Amarinder arrived at the sprawling Circuit House complex – which at one time was owned by his royal family – in two cars but with no supporters or party leaders escorting him as the vigilance team waited to question him in his hometown. Accompanying him were his lawyers and brother.
Amarinder Singh was given a set of 56 queries by vigilance officials a fortnight ago and was expected to reply Monday.
The queries pertained to his role and that of his family members, ministers, close associates and his Congress government in the case.
The vigilance bureau has registered a case of cheating and other offences against Amarinder, former local government minister Jagjit Singh and 17 others.
The case was registered after the Akali Dal government led by Parkash Singh Badal – whom Amarinder had booked and sent to jail on corruption charges – came to power in Punjab in March.
They have been accused of causing a loss of Rs.30 billion to the state by allotting the construction of Asia's largest city centre complex in Ludhiana town – with over 100,000 square feet of covered area – to Delhi-based builder Today Homes at a lower cost.
The vigilance bureau has alleged that a bribe of Rs.1 billion was paid to Amarinder and others by Today Homes to get the contract.
Vigilance officials recently arrested businessman Chetan Gupta from New Delhi and claimed that a pen drive found on him had revealed how the City Centre bribe money was transacted in foreign accounts held by Amarinder and his family.
Vigilance officials claim that the bribe was routed out of India through 'hawala', money laundering, channels operated by Gupta.
The vigilance officials have also sought answers from Amarinder regarding Today Homes' officials sponsoring the trips of his foreign guests, especially from Pakistan, and also his own foreign jaunts.
Amarinder, who went to London for medical treatment immediately after going out of power March 1, has a Punjab and Haryana High Court stay on his arrest till July 31. His son and son-in-law have also sought bail from the high court.