Punjab Vigilance Bureau nabs officials for taking bribe

In its drive against corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday apprehended Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Harbans Singh and Revenue Accountant (RA) Khushwant Singh, both posted at PSPCL office Bhawanigarh, Sangrur district while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000.

Disclosing this today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the power department officials have been arrested on a complaint lodged by Happy Sharma, running a Rice Shellar at Bhawanigarh.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB range Patiala and alleged that the above said officials were demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000 in lieu of settling fine of around Rs 3.5 lakh imposed due to power load difference of his Rice Shellar.

After conducting a preliminary investigation of this complaint a VB team from Patiala range laid a trap and successfully arrested both the said accused red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 30000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been lodged at VB police station Patiala range and further investigation was under progress, he added.