AAP Leader, Aides Accused of Assaulting Mandi Supervisor in Arniwala

• Apr 29, 2025

A mandi supervisor was allegedly confined and brutally assaulted with sticks by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Arniwala Market Committee chairman Kuldeep Singh Sandhu, along with two of his aides, for conducting a wheat auction “without permission.”

Officials clarified that holding auctions falls under the mandi supervisor’s authority and does not require prior approval from the Market Committee chairman. Sandhu and his two aides — one identified as Jagseer Singh Dhillon of Ghattianwali village — are currently absconding.

Earlier in the day, Sandhu, said to be a close associate of Jalalabad AAP legislator Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy, released a video message accusing the supervisor, Gaurav Monga, of levelling false allegations. Sandhu claimed Monga had earlier been served a notice for negligence in his duties.

However, in his police complaint, Monga alleged that Sandhu summoned him to his office on Sunday afternoon. Upon entering, Monga said, Sandhu and Dhillon overpowered him, thrashing him with sticks and kicking him repeatedly. A third unidentified person allegedly closed the office door and joined in the assault. Monga stated that during the beating, the attackers warned him not to report the incident, repeatedly accusing him of holding an auction "against Sandhu’s interests."

Monga suffered severe injuries and was rushed to Fazilka District Hospital by colleagues and a commission agent.

The three accused have been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:

• Section 121(1) (causing grievous hurt to a public servant),

• Section 127(2) (wrongful confinement),

• Section 221 (obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duty),

• Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation),

• Section 3(5) (joint criminal action).

Following the incident, a large number of Market Committee employees went on strike, demanding the immediate removal of Sandhu from the chairman’s post.