The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Suresh Kumar, a clerk at the Nagar Council, Malout, in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from an underprivileged widow.
This action is part of the state’s ongoing anti-corruption drive, an official spokesperson of the VB confirmed on Sunday.
According to the spokesperson, the arrest was made following a complaint from a Malout resident. The complainant alleged that the accused had demanded ₹50,000 to release funds under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission for the construction of a dwelling house, with the bribe amount agreed to be paid in installments.
After verifying the complaint, VB officials set a trap and caught Suresh Kumar red-handed while accepting ₹20,000 as the first installment of the bribe at the complainant’s house.
The tainted money was recovered on the spot in the presence of two official witnesses.
A case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station, Bathinda range, and further investigation is underway.
Reaffirming its commitment to eliminating corruption, the Vigilance Bureau urged the public to report any bribery incidents through the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line at 9501-200-200.
The spokesperson assured that all complaints would be thoroughly investigated as per the law, and strict action would be taken against corrupt public servants if the allegations were proven true.