Mohali: In compliance with the directions of the Punjab High Court, an IPS officer and his personal security officer (PSO) have been transferred following their inadequate investigation into a Rs 1.3 crore fraud case. The case, which involves multiple financial discrepancies, led to the transfer of ASP City 1 Jayant Puri, an IPS officer of 2021 batch and his PSO from Mohali to different districts.
The transfer was confirmed by the DIG of Ropar Range, 2007 batch IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who submitted an affidavit to the court, detailing the actions taken. This decision follows a petition by the complainant, Ambika Masih, who highlighted the insufficient investigation by Jayant Puri. The complainant named both Puri and Bhullar as parties responsible for the lack of proper action.
The case originated from a complaint filed in 2024, in which Ambika Masih detailed how Lakhwinder Singh, alias Lucky, manipulated company finances while director Ramandeep Kaur was abroad. A November 2024 notice from the Income Tax Department revealed financial discrepancies when Lakhwinder Singh failed to present expense records. Further investigation revealed that Singh had unauthorizedly transferred significant sums – Rs 46,85,306 and Rs 83,41,043 – into the accounts of his relatives. Singh also used company funds, amounting to Rs 9,38,143, to purchase gold under the name of Ramandeep Kaur from a local jeweler.
The total fraud amounted to Rs 1,30,26,249 and involved several family members of Lakhwinder Singh. Following these revelations, police registered multiple cases against Lakhwinder Singh, Manpreet Kaur, Lali Singh, and Gurmeet Kaur under various criminal sections.
DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, when approached for comment, declined to provide further details regarding the case. The investigation continues as authorities move to ensure proper action is taken against those involved in the fraud.