Chandigarh: The Income Tax department today conducted search at offices of a firm here in connection with mining contracts auctioned by the Punjab government last year.  

According to officials, the IT sleuths were examining the funding of the bids for some mining contracts which were auctioned last year, as the ambit of the IT probe involved detection of shell companies.  

The officials were probing the role of T N Singla, chartered accountant of the Rana Group and one Capt J S Randhawa, said to be a friend of former minister Rana Gurjit Singh, in connection with the mining contracts, for which successful bid was made by the firm last year, official said.  

The sons of Singla and Randhawa were reportedly partners in that firm. A team of the income tax, Investigation wing from Ludhiana also scrutinised the records of the Rana Group of companies at an office located at Sector 8 here, officials said.  

The Rana Group of companies, owned by the family of former power and irrigation minister, and Congress MLA Rana Gurjit Singh. The department was also examining the role of one contractor, who was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau for his alleged involvement in the irregularities in the irrigation department, for allegedly partly funding the bid of the firm for mining contract, officials said. 

Rana Gurjit Singh, who was under fire from the opposition for his alleged involvement in sand mining auctions, had resigned from the power and irrigation ministry last month. PTI