EC complaint alleges ration diversion during Ludhiana West bypoll

Patiala: A complaint with the Election Commission alleges misuse of government-linked agencies, particularly Markfed, during the June 2025 Ludhiana West bypoll. Advocate Sandeep Pathak, president of Hindu Mahagathbandhan, has sought cancellation of the by-election.The complaint alleges diversion of 120 bags of ration transported in a private truck from Markfed's Khanna unit to Ludhiana on June 18, 2025. A part of the consignment was allegedly unloaded in a residential area but local residents stopped the activity and informed the police. An FIR was registered at Division No. 5 police station, but no challan has been filed so far, according to the complainant.The complaint questions why provisions from Markfed were being transported during the model code of conduct, whether proper documentation existed for the movement of the 120 bags, and why the investigation has not progressed despite registration of the FIR. It also alleges that some state officials, including certain police personnel, facilitated the transport of ration and later failed to pursue the probe effectively. Concerns were also raised over the alleged awarding of flour tenders to a private firm after the elections.Markfed general manager Ravinder Kumar said, "Markfed deals with different products supplied by different suppliers. We have 10 trucks that transport our products to cooperative societies and our depots across the state. I have no information about the recovery of the alleged bags. We maintain records of trucks and transported products, but this matter seems several months old. We never received any complaint regarding this; otherwise, we would have inquired into it. We do not provide ration in bags — only flour, mustard oil or sugar are packed and supplied. I will look into the matter and check whether any such truck was registered with Markfed."Inspector Sukhjinder Singh, SHO of Ludhiana Division No. 5 police station, said he would check whether a challan was filed in the case.MSID:: 128947476 413 |