Former Deputy CM of Punjab arrested in assets case, Opposition unity in tatters
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Chandigarh: The Vigilance Department of Punjab has arrested the former Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni in a disproportionate assets case.
Taken in custody from Amritsar, the Congress leader will be produced in court later today, according to NDTV.
An official from the department claimed disproportionate rise in Son’s wealth when he was in power between 2016 and 2022 and subsequently a probe was initiated on October 10, 2022.
It is reported citing sources in the investigative agency that income of Soni between April 1,2016 and March 31,2022 was 4.5 crores where he spent 12.5 crores.
During this period, the congress leader amassed property in the name of his wife Suman Soni and son Raghav Soni, according to the report.
A First Information Report has been registered against the leader charging him under Sections 13 (1) (b) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The arrest of the Congress leader, which comes along the lines of Aam Party CM Bhagwant Mann’s anti-corruption drive, could further the divide between the Congress and AAP just as the Opposition is working for unity ahead of 2024 polls.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Warring tweeted , questioning the arrest.
OP Soni , a five-time MLA from Amritsar, lost his seat last year to the onrush of AAP in the state.
