‘Irrigation scam’: Punjab Vigilance grills ex-chief secy Kaushal for four hours

The Punjab vigilance bureau on Thursday questioned former Punjab chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal for about four hours in the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam that took place during the SAD-BJP government between 2012 and 2017.

Mohali

Kaushal remained at the VB office in Mohali from 10am to 2pm, said officials, adding that he furnished some information about his movable and immovable properties. (Representational Photo (Getty Images/iStockphoto) )

The Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) on Thursday questioned former Punjab chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal for about four hours in the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam that took place during the SAD-BJP government between 2012 and 2017.

Kaushal remained at the VB office in Mohali from 10am to 2pm, said officials, adding that he furnished some information about his movable and immovable properties, but was reluctant to share more details.

Kaushal claimed that his accountant was preparing details of his assets and properties and the list will be submitted to the VB soon, said an official.

The Punjab and Haryana high court had granted protection to Kaushal from any coercive action by the Punjab government and the VB.

In the scam, crores of rupees from public exchequer were reported to be siphoned off. According to the VB, an accused contractor had claimed in questioning before the bureau that he paid bribe to three top IAS officers to clear the project files.