The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau concluded a rigorous year-long campaign against graft in 2025, announcing significant results on Wednesday. The agency reported arresting 186 individuals and recovering a substantial sum of Rs 1.03 crore in its drive to cleanse the state's administration.
Scale of the Anti-Graft Operations
From January 1 to December 31, 2025, the bureau registered a total of 251 corruption cases. Out of these, decisive action was taken in 147 operations involving traps and raids, while the remaining 104 cases were initiated based on inquiries and special checks. The arrests included a mix of public servants and private citizens, highlighting the pervasive nature of the corruption network.
Breaking down the figures, 163 of those arrested were government officials. This group included 13 gazetted officers and 150 non-gazetted employees. The remaining 23 individuals were private persons allegedly involved in corrupt dealings. On average, this translates to roughly 13 government employees being apprehended every month throughout the year.
High-Profile Traps and Major Recoveries
Director General Ajay Singhal provided details of several notable cases that demonstrated the bureau's reach. In one of the most significant traps, a private individual was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 30 lakh. Shockingly, a Delhi Police inspector was named as a co-accused in this case, indicating inter-state corruption links.
Other major arrests included two municipal corporation councillors, a clerk, and a private person caught while taking Rs 7.57 lakh. The police department itself was not spared, with an Assistant Sub-Inspector and two Sub-Inspectors arrested in three separate incidents for collectively taking Rs 4.65 lakh in bribes.
The list of officials caught in the act is extensive and cuts across departments:
- A junior engineer from the irrigation department was arrested taking Rs 3.90 lakh.
- A personal assistant accepted Rs 3.50 lakh.
- An assistant chief medical officer was trapped for Rs 3.25 lakh.
- Two nursing orderlies were caught for Rs 3 lakh.
- A superintendent of the CGST department took Rs 2.50 lakh.
- A patwari from the town and country planning department and a tehsildar (election) were caught for Rs 2 lakh each in separate cases.
- An assistant planning officer was arrested for a bribe of Rs 1.75 lakh.
Beyond Arrests: Inquiries and Systemic Action
The bureau's strategy extended beyond immediate traps to include systemic scrutiny. In 2025, it registered 123 preliminary inquiries to probe allegations of corruption thoroughly. Based on these inquiries, recommendations for further action were made in 24 instances.
These recommendations were severe and comprehensive: criminal cases were suggested against 39 gazetted officers, 30 non-gazetted employees, and 21 private individuals. Furthermore, the bureau advised departmental action in 20 cases and a combination of both criminal prosecution and departmental proceedings in five cases. This two-pronged approach aims to ensure both legal punishment and administrative accountability.
The announcement from Chandigarh underscores a sustained and multi-faceted effort by the Haryana Vigilance Bureau to tackle corruption. The recovery of over one crore rupees and the arrest of nearly 200 people, including many mid-level officials, sends a strong message about the state's commitment to governance integrity in 2025.
