Punjab AIG Malwinder Singh Sidhu Arrested in ₹15 Lakh Extortion and Graft Case

In a significant development, suspended Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Human Rights Cell, Malwinder Singh Sidhu, has been arrested by Mohali police in connection with a fresh case of extortion and graft. The arrest follows an investigation into an audio clip recovered from Sidhu’s possession during his previous arrest for assaulting a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

The case has been registered against Sidhu under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, along with charges of extortion (section 384) and criminal conspiracy (section 120-b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Phase-8 police station.

The arrest stems from an audio recording retrieved from Sidhu’s possession, wherein he, along with Balvir Singh and an unidentified person, is allegedly heard discussing a case on October 13 of the previous year. Balvir Singh purportedly demanded ₹15 lakh from a third person known as ‘Babbi’ to withdraw a complaint against individuals named Ranjit Singh and Daljit Singh.

Police sources reveal that AIG Sidhu misused his official power, allegedly blackmailing ‘Babbi’ to pay ₹15 lakh through Balvir Singh. Following the arrest, Sidhu was produced before a local court, which remanded him to three-day police custody.

This arrest comes three months after Sidhu’s earlier arrest for assaulting a DSP, indicating a series of serious allegations against the suspended AIG. The Mohali police continue their investigation into the matter.