'AAP Government Allowing Open Loot of Public Exchequer: Convicted MLA Still Retains Flat and Facilities, Speaker Turning a Blind Eye' – Brahmpura

• - Despite clear provisions under Rule 4(d)(ii) and 4(d)(iv) of the Punjab Legislative Assembly Rules, 1971, the Speaker's silence over the continued occupation of an MLA flat by a convicted legislator is highly condemnable.
• - RTI revelation: When official documents themselves have exposed the facts, under whose protection is the law being ignored?
Tarn Taran March 12, 2026: ( ) Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader, party vice-president and former MLA and In-charge of Khadoor Sahib constituency, Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of causing heavy loss to the public exchequer by ignoring established rules.

Brahmpura alleged that despite being convicted by a court of law, AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura continues to retain the official MLA flat in Chandigarh along with other associated facilities. He further accused Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan of turning a blind eye to the matter, even though the issue involves clear provisions of law and constitutional responsibility.

In a press statement issued here, Brahmpura said the allegations are based on official documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act and relevant Assembly rules. He revealed that in response to an RTI filed by Damanjeet Singh, and a subsequent first appeal, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Secretariat admitted in writing that after Lalpura was convicted by a court on September 12, 2025, his salary and allowances were stopped.

However, Brahmpura pointed out that the same official reply also confirmed that MLA Flat No. 38 located in Sector-4, Chandigarh is still under Lalpura’s possession. The reply also did not provide clarity regarding other facilities allegedly being used by the MLA.

“Once the rules are clear, why has the flat not been taken back yet?” Brahmpura questioned.

Referring to a copy of the Punjab Legislative Assembly Rules, 1971 obtained through the first appeal, Brahmpura said Rule 4(d)(ii) and Rule 4(d)(iv) clearly state that when a person ceases to be an MLA, he must vacate the allotted accommodation within 15 days. If the accommodation is not vacated within the stipulated period, the occupation becomes unauthorized and penal rent equivalent to 160 times the economic rent becomes applicable.

Explaining the financial implications, Brahmpura said that if the economic rent of the government accommodation is assumed to be around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month, the penal rent at 160 times could amount to nearly ₹40 lakh per month. He alleged that the government is deliberately avoiding recovery of this amount from its “favoured MLA”, thereby causing significant loss to the public exchequer.

Brahmpura also raised serious questions over the functioning of the Punjab Assembly Speaker, stating that the office of the Speaker exists to protect the Constitution and the rule of law, yet in this case the rules appear to be ignored while the governments of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remain silent spectators.

The SAD leader warned that if the Speaker does not immediately initiate action to repossess the flat and recover the penal rent as per rules, the Shiromani Akali Dal will be compelled to approach the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court to safeguard public money.