7 February
Sandeep Dhand ( Ludhiana ) .
In a significant move to combat corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau successfully apprehended Harish Kumar, a part-time employee of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, while accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000. The arrest unfolded after a complaint lodged by Jagdish Singh, a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ludhiana.
According to the Vigilance Bureau spokesperson, Jagdish Singh sought a Tax Superintendent Register No. 1 (TS-1) certificate from the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana to facilitate the transfer of his ancestral house. During this process, Singh encountered Harish Kumar, who claimed to be a clerk in the house tax branch. Kumar allegedly acquired the necessary documentation from the junior engineer and then demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from Singh for issuing the TS-1 certificate.
Singh asserted that Kumar immediately pocketed Rs 4,000 on the spot and insisted on the remaining Rs 6,000 for the TS-1 certificate. Struggling with unfamiliarity with Google Pay, the complainant requested the payment in cash. Taking advantage of this, Singh cleverly recorded the entire conversation on his mobile phone and submitted it as evidence to the vigilance authorities.
Following a preliminary investigation, the Ludhiana Vigilance team apprehended Harish Kumar in the act, receiving the second installment of the bribe – Rs 6,000 – in the presence of two government witnesses. The Vigilance Bureau has filed a case under sections 7, 7A, and I of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with section 420 of the Vigilance Bureau in Ludhiana.
The vigilant complainant’s use of technology to expose the corrupt practices sheds light on the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by citizens to combat corruption. The spokesperson emphasized that the accused will be produced in court tomorrow, marking a decisive step towards justice in this case.
Furthermore, the spokesperson revealed that the investigation is ongoing, and the roles of other employees involved in the corruption scandal will be thoroughly examined. The incident underscores the commitment of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to root out corruption at all levels, ensuring transparency and accountability within government institutions.
As the state continues its battle against corruption, this arrest serves as a stern warning to those who engage in illicit activities, reaffirming the authorities’ dedication to upholding the principles of integrity and honesty in public service