BATHINDA: SAD leader Dyal Singh Kolianwali surrendered before the district courts in Mohali on Friday, after evading arrest for five-and-a-half months. The court sent him to judicial custody. Kolianwali, considered close to former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal , will be lodged in Patiala jail.The vigilance bureau will approach the court for production warrants of Kolianwali on Saturday, to continue their investigations in the case of property disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Akali leader surrendered a day ahead of the court hearing on December 15 to declare him a proclaimed offender ( PO ). Only two days ago, Badal had gone to his residence and lent support to the absconding Akali leader, saying the case was as an act of vendetta and Kolianwali was a law abiding citizen.On June 30, 2018, Punjab vigilance bureau had registered case of disproportionate assets against Kolianwali and under charges of prevention of corruption during his stint of holding public office. Kolianwali served as sarpanch of Kolianwali village, remained a member of subordinate services selection board and chairman of Punjab agro industries corporation during the 10-year rule of Badal from 2007 to 2017.During investigations, the vigilance recorded that Kolianwali earned Rs 2,39,42,854 from his known sources of income from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014, but spent Rs 4,10,63,158 on movable and immovable properties. His spend was Rs 1,71,20,304 more than the known sources of income — which was 71.5% of his income. Vigilance found that Kolianwali earned a lot of money in postings and appointments of persons in connivance of government officials. With the money thus earned he purchased properties in Rajasthan and Uttrakhand.The vigilance had started proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender in July and written to the Union ministry of home affairs to issue look out circular on July 15. On November 13, the vigilance along with other departments had visited his residence to calculate value of his properties.Earlier, during the previous term of Congress government, a murder case was registered against him but it was withdrawn after SAD-BJP alliance came into power. A case of NDPS and income tax evasion was also registered against him. Now, vigilance has registered another case of disproportionate assets.Kolianwali had approached the Supreme Court after his bail plea was rejected by the district court and the high court. On November 30, 2018, the apex court rejected his bail application but gave him respite to approach the trial court within a week. The Mohali district court had rejected his anticipatory bail on December 6. Bathinda SSP (Vigilance Bureau) Ashok Bath said, “We will approach the government on Saturday, to take him on production warrants for further investigations.”

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