Sarpanch Apprehended in Bribery Sting Operation in Mohali
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has made a significant arrest in its ongoing crackdown on corruption, nabbing a sarpanch for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The incident occurred in Devinagar village, Mohali, on Tuesday, marking another step in the state's efforts to combat graft at the grassroots level.
Details of the Alleged Corruption Case
According to an official spokesperson from the Vigilance Bureau, the accused has been identified as Gurcharan Singh, a resident of Devinagar village in Mohali. The arrest was initiated based on a complaint filed through the chief minister's anti-corruption action line portal, a digital platform designed to streamline reports of unethical practices.
During the verification process, investigators uncovered that Gurcharan Singh had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. This sum was requested in exchange for releasing a tractor that had been impounded at the Banur police station. The complainant, whose identity remains confidential for security reasons, negotiated the amount down to Rs 50,000 and recorded the conversation with the accused as evidence.
Legal Proceedings and Recovery of Evidence
After confirming the facts, the Vigilance Bureau registered a formal case against Gurcharan Singh under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A carefully planned trap was set up, leading to his arrest while he was accepting the bribe money from the complainant. In a swift operation, VB sleuths successfully recovered the entire bribe amount from the possession of the accused.
The arrested sarpanch is scheduled to be produced in court on Wednesday, where he will face charges related to corruption. This case highlights the Vigilance Bureau's proactive approach in leveraging technology and citizen complaints to tackle bribery and misconduct in public offices.
The incident underscores the broader challenges of corruption in local governance and the importance of robust anti-corruption mechanisms. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to pursuing such cases vigorously to ensure accountability and transparency in Punjab's administrative framework.
