Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has made significant progress in its investigation into the multi-crore food grains scam by arresting Anurag Batra — a key accomplice of the scandals primary accused, Rakesh Kumar Singla, the former Deputy Director of the states Food and Civil Supplies Department.   A distributor for Batra Pharmaceuticals, Batra is alleged to have played a crucial role in laundering black money for Singla, who is currently a Proclaimed Offender (PO). The arrest marked a major step forward in unraveling the intricate web of corruption and financial misconduct that has marred the department for years.   Batra was apprehended following a detailed investigation into an FIR (first information report) registered on August 16, 2022, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The case, initially filed against former Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and several others, exposed widespread corruption in the Department, including illegal tendering of food supplies and embezzlement of funds. The focus soon shifted to RK Singla, whose illicit dealings became a central point in the ongoing probe.   Bureau spokesperson said that Singla had accumulated a staggering amount of wealth through bribes and corrupt practices during his tenure in the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Investigations revealed that Singla, in collaboration with his wife Rachna Singla, used this ill-gotten wealth to purchase 12 properties worth approximately Rs five crore. These properties, located in Ludhiana, Khanna, Chandigarh, and New Chandigarh in Mohali, are currently under legal scrutiny, with proceedings under Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act underway in Ludhiana court to attach them.   Batras involvement was brought to light when it was discovered that he had transferred Rs 28.09 lakh into Rachna Singlas bank account during 2021. He failed to provide any legitimate explanation for these transfers. Batra could not justify how Rachna Singla helped him secure five lucrative orders from the Haryana Government, further deepening suspicions. Moreover, records show that on the days when these transactions occurred, Rachna was abroad, adding another layer of complexity to the case.   During the course of his interrogation, Batra confessed to his role in the scam, admitting that a mutual acquaintance had instructed him to assist RK Singla in converting black money into white. His confession has added weight to the Bureaus findings and provided a clearer picture of how Singla laundered his illegally acquired wealth through intermediaries like Batra.   The Bureau has already made significant headway by attaching several of Singlas properties and identifying more assets tied to his corrupt dealings. Spokesperson added that the scam goes beyond just the purchase of properties. Singla had been accepting hefty bribes for years, using his wife as a front to conceal his financial activities. The Bureau is now focusing on dismantling the extensive network of corruption that allowed Singla and his associates to operate unchecked for so long.   Batras arrest is seen as a major breakthrough in the case, and the Vigilance Bureau has vowed to continue its efforts to bring all those involved to justice. The investigation is still ongoing, with further arrests and disclosures expected in the coming weeks as the Bureau works to close in on the remaining individuals involved in the multi-crore scam.

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