Licence withdrawn, contractor held after alleged rampage, ‘extortion bid’ at Ludhiana vegetable market.

Ludhiana: A city-based contractor has been arrested and granted bail after allegedly assaulting vegetable market workers and threatening a govt official following the cancellation of his operating licence.The Punjab Mandi Board cancelled the contract of Syed Raza Hussain, known as "Raju", following allegations of overcharging vendors at a local parking lot and market space. Police reports suggest that the situation escalated when Hussain allegedly led a group of associates to the market to forcibly collect fees from vendors despite his suspension.Harinder Singh Gill, secretary of the Market Committee for the Punjab Mandi Board, filed the formal complaint against Hussain. The dispute traces back to a bidding war for the market's parking and vending contract. While another company initially won the bid for the 2025-26 period, Hussain secured a contract extension via a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court. However, the extension was short-lived.Gill stated in his report: "A complaint of overcharging was received against Raju's company, and I was tasked with the inquiry. The contract was suspended after the report was submitted to senior officials on April 10. Authorities allege that on April 11, one day after the suspension, Hussain and his aides thrashed market vendors who refused to pay him. When Gill intervened, Hussain allegedly turned his focus toward the official, issuing threats and obstructing his duties.The confrontation reportedly extended beyond the market. Hussain and his associates allegedly protested outside Gill's office, raising slogans. The accused reportedly uploaded videos disparaging the Punjab Mandi Board and the state govt. Hussain also called a media gathering, where he accused Gill of soliciting bribes, a claim Gill denies.The investigating officer, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Kuldeep Singh of the Basti Jodhewal police station, confirmed that Hussain of Bhora Colony had beeen booked alongside several unidentified associates. The first-information report (FIR) includes multiple Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections like 115 (2) (causing hurt voluntarily), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 221 (obstructing a public servant), 308 (extortion), and 351 (3) (criminal intimidation).Hussain was produced before a local court and subsequently released on bail. Police investigations into the identity of his associates are in progress.