The Supreme Court has sought responses on a plea challenging the quashing of a corruption case against Congress leader and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. The petition alleges tender irregularities and bribery in the Punjab Food Grains Transport Policy, 2020–2021.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision to cancel a corruption case against Congress leader and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Sharma, popularly known as Bharat Bhushan Ashu.
The notice was issued by a bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice S.C. Sharma.
Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had quashed the FIR filed against Ashu in connection with alleged irregularities and corruption in the Punjab Food Grains Transport Policy for the year 2020–2021.
The petitioner, represented by advocate Aaditya Mishra, has now approached the Supreme Court seeking to overturn that decision.
The petition argues that the High Court’s order should be set aside because both the FIR and the chargesheet clearly show evidence of corruption, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and serious procedural violations in the tendering and procurement process.
The plea stated that these irregularities took place “under the Punjab Food Grains Transport Policy, 2020–2021,” and directly involved the accused.
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According to the petitioner, a detailed preliminary enquiry was already carried out by the Punjab Police and the Vigilance Bureau, which revealed that Ashu, along with other accused persons, had allegedly awarded transportation tenders to certain contractors in return for “bribes and other benefits.”
The petition pointed out that despite such findings,
“the High Court failed to consider these crucial aspects while quashing the FIR.”
The plea further highlighted that in several instances,
“food grains were shown to be delivered on non-carrier vehicles, such as scooters, motorbikes, and others,”
which clearly indicated misappropriation and manipulation in records.
The petitioner argued that this act led to
“a case of misappropriation of food grains belonging to the state government,”
suggesting that public resources were being diverted for private gain.
In addition, the petition strongly emphasized that the High Court overlooked the
“active role of Ashu in conspiring with contractors and other officials to bypass verification procedures.”
It was also alleged that Ashu played a direct role in
“approving tenders for non-compliant bidders in collusion with other co-accused persons.”
The matter will now be taken up by the Supreme Court, which has sought responses from the concerned parties following its notice on the plea.
The case once again puts the spotlight on alleged corruption in Punjab’s food grain transport system and the accountability of public officials in handling state contracts.
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