Faridkot and Bathinda have recently become associated with two different sets of serious public questions — one concerning recruitment-examination irregularities in Faridkot and another concerning land transactions connected with the Punjab Cricket Association in Bathinda. In both cases, the public interest requires transparency, independent verification and timely answers rather than political accusations alone.
In July 2026, an examination for the recruitment of 454 pharmacy officers, organised by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, became controversial after Punjab Police reported that an interstate cheating racket had been detected. Nearly 7,000 candidates had appeared for the examination, and police reported that some candidates were allegedly using electronic devices, including hidden-camera technology.
Opposition parties described the matter as part of a wider paper-leak and examination-integrity problem and demanded accountability. The AAP government rejected the paper-leak allegation, saying the Faridkot incident involved cheating through electronic gadgets rather than a leaked examination paper. That distinction is important, but it does not remove the need for a transparent investigation because thousands of young candidates had invested time, money and their hopes in the recruitment process.
The question for the government is therefore simple: Were all candidates treated fairly? Who organised the cheating network? How did prohibited electronic equipment enter examination centres? Were any officials negligent or involved? What action was taken against those responsible? And will affected candidates receive a transparent explanation about the integrity of the examination?
Bathinda presents another major issue involving the Punjab Cricket Association. Former Ranji player Rakesh Handa approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging financial and procedural irregularities in PCA land purchases in Bathinda and Amritsar. According to the petition, land in Bathinda was allegedly purchased by intermediaries from farmers at around ₹15 lakh per acre and subsequently sold to PCA at about ₹2.99 crore per acre. These are allegations made in court proceedings and have not been established as facts.
The matter has now moved beyond ordinary political allegations. The Enforcement Directorate conducted a preliminary enquiry into alleged money laundering connected with the PCA land purchases and submitted its status report to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a sealed cover. The court directed that the report be filed in the Registry, with the matter listed for further hearing on October 13, 2026.
There is also a separate and serious legal matter connected with Faridkot involving PCA president Amarjit Singh Mehta. In 2025, a Faridkot court framed charges including murder, destruction of evidence and criminal conspiracy against six accused in connection with the 2016 death of kabaddi player Ajmer Singh. Mehta is among those facing trial; the charges are allegations to be adjudicated by the court and should not be treated as a conviction.
Taken together, these developments show why the people of Punjab deserve transparent institutions. Whether the issue concerns recruitment examinations, cricket administration, land purchases or public-facing organisations, the standard should be the same: records should be available, investigations should be independent and those responsible for wrongdoing should face due process.
The government should therefore answer the public’s questions directly instead of allowing every controversy to become a political battle. Punjab’s youth, taxpayers, athletes and ordinary citizens deserve nothing less than transparent administration and verifiable facts.
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