Ludhiana, March 22 -- The rural development and panchayat department, Punjab, has suspended the sarpanch of gram panchayat Dugri in Doraha block after a forensic investigation confirmed forgery in official records.

The action follows a complaint filed by Tapinder Singh, a resident of Dugri, who alleged that the signature of then panchayat member Baljinder Kaur had been forged in a resolution on June 7, 2022.

The resolution pertained to the laying of a pipeline through government land.

The complaint, received in July 2024, triggered an inquiry by the district development and panchayat officer, Ludhiana. During the probe, statements of the panchayat secretary, Jaswinder Singh, and affidavits from Baljinder Kaur were recorded.

The matter...