The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has taken decisive action against two public servants in Amritsar district, arresting a village head and suspending a police officer in separate corruption cases. The operations underscore the state's ongoing crackdown on graft at the grassroots level.
Sarpanch Apprehended for Demanding Bribe
In the first case, the Vigilance Bureau arrested Sarpanch Balwinder Singh of Bhakna Kalan village in the Ajnala subdivision. The arrest followed a complaint filed by a local resident, Amarjit Singh.
According to the bureau's findings, the sarpanch allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from Amarjit Singh. The money was solicited in exchange for issuing a necessary certificate related to Singh's land. After verifying the complaint, the VB team laid a trap and caught Balwinder Singh red-handed while he was accepting the illicit cash. A case has been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station in Amritsar.
Police ASI Suspended for Extortion
In a parallel development highlighting corruption within the police force, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kashmir Singh has been placed under suspension. The ASI was posted at the Jandiala Guru police station.
The action against him stems from allegations of extorting money from a woman. The Vigilance Bureau initiated an inquiry after receiving a complaint detailing the ASI's misconduct. Following the preliminary investigation, which found substance in the allegations, the police department ordered his immediate suspension pending a more detailed departmental probe.
Ongoing Anti-Corruption Drive in Punjab
These incidents are not isolated. They reflect the Vigilance Bureau's active campaign to root out corruption, particularly from village-level administration and police stations where citizens are most vulnerable. The arrest of a sarpanch, a key figure in rural governance, sends a strong message against the misuse of power for personal gain.
Similarly, the suspension of a police officer for targeting a woman citizen indicates a no-tolerance policy towards extortion within the law enforcement system. The state machinery aims to restore public trust by holding officials accountable, regardless of their position.
The accused in both cases will face legal proceedings. The arrest and suspension occurred as part of coordinated efforts, demonstrating that complaints of corruption are being taken seriously and acted upon swiftly by the concerned authorities in Punjab.
