In a stark reminder of corruption within the system, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has apprehended an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) while he was allegedly accepting a bribe. The incident, which unfolded in Phagwara, Jalandhar district, highlights the audacious demands for illegal gratification made by some officials.
The Bribe Demand for Bail
The accused officer has been identified as ASI Sarabjit Singh, who was posted at the Phagwara City police station. According to an official spokesperson from the Vigilance Bureau (VB), the case originated from a complaint filed by a local resident. The complainant alleged that ASI Sarabjit Singh had summoned him to the Phagwara court complex concerning an investigation involving his parents.
During this meeting, the ASI reportedly made a clear demand for illegal gratification. He threatened the complainant that if the money was not paid, his parents would be sent to jail. This pressure tactic forced the victim to initially pay a sum of Rs 6,000, after which his parents were granted regular bail in their case.
The Trap and Red-Handed Arrest
However, the ordeal did not end for the complainant. The VB spokesperson stated that the accused official continued to press for the remaining balance of the bribe amount. Fed up with the continuous harassment, the victim approached the Punjab Vigilance Bureau and filed a formal complaint.
Following a preliminary enquiry that substantiated the allegations, a VB team set up a meticulous trap to catch the corrupt official in the act. The plan was executed perfectly. ASI Sarabjit Singh was arrested red-handed while he was accepting the marked bribe money of Rs 5,000 from the complainant. The arrest took place at the pre-decided location, providing concrete evidence against the officer.
Implications and Zero-Tolerance Stance
This arrest underscores the ongoing challenges of corruption at the grassroots level of law enforcement. It reveals how vulnerable citizens can be exploited by those entrusted with upholding the law. The Vigilance Bureau's swift action in this case sends a strong message about the state's purported zero-tolerance policy towards such malpractices.
The case is now set for legal proceedings, where the evidence collected during the trap will be crucial. Such incidents erode public trust in institutions, and the outcome of this case will be closely watched by the community in Phagwara and beyond. It serves as a cautionary tale for other officials who might consider engaging in similar illegal activities.
