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CBI asks two Ludhiana-based colonisers to join probe involving Ferozepur IG Dhillon
The CBI on Friday had arrested a middleman Ashok Goyal for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh on behalf of an inspector general of police posted in Ferozepur.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) rounded up two Ludhiana-based colonisers for questioning and asked them to join the probe in connection with a graft case involving the Ferozepur inspector general (IG) GS Dhillon.
A CBI official, privy to the investigation, told Hindustan Times on the condition of anonymity, that the duo, identified as Ayush Bhalla and Satdev, residents of South City and Sukhmani Enclave respectively, was picked up for questioning due to their alleged links with middleman Ashok Goyal but was let off on Sunday. Goyal was arrested on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh on behalf of the inspector general of police.
Though they have been allowed to return home, the duo was reportedly asked to appear before the CBI investigating team in Chandigarh on Monday.
Sources said the CBI is planning to make the duo witnesses in the bribery case as both are stated to be close friends of middleman Ashok Goyal.
They also have combined business interests in South City.
The sources further stated that the plot of seeking a bribe from former SSP Shiv Kumar Sharma was hatched in the theme park owned by Ayush Bhalla on South City road.
Despite repeated attempts, both Satdev and Ayush Bhalla were not available for comments.
Senior advocate Ashwani Shori, who is the counsel of the duo Ayush Bhalla and Satdev, confirmed that they had been rounded up.
He said the CBI had rounded up the duo on August 16 and kept them under “illegal detention” till the evening of August 18.
“On Saturday, both of them were served notices under Section 160 of the CrPC for joining investigation in the graft case.
They have been asked to appear again on Monday morning,” said advocate Ashwani Shori.
CBI DIG Tarun Gaba maintained that he could not share any further details pertaining to the case.
On the other hand, the rounding up of the duo has caused jitters among the bureaucratic and police lobby. Many police officers and bureaucrats have invested in the colonies belonging to the trio, a source revealed.
Sources said that police officers were fearing that the arrest of Ashok Goyal may expose the nexus between the coloniser, policemen and bureaucrats, who were involved in “benami” investments.
