In a dramatic late-night operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three individuals, including a father and his son, in connection with an alleged Rs 20 lakh bribery case at a Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) office in Mohali. The arrests followed a raid on the VB office and a subsequent chase that spanned approximately 50 kilometers.
Details of the Arrest
The arrested suspects have been identified as Vikas Goyal, also known as Vikki Goyal, his son Raghav, and their driver Ankit Wadhwan, all residents of Malout in Punjab's Sri Muktsar Sahib district. A fourth suspect, OP Rana, who serves as a reader to the Punjab Vigilance Director General, is currently on the run. A special CBI court on Tuesday remanded Vikas and Raghav to CBI custody for three days, while Ankit was sent to judicial custody for 14 days. The court also issued a non-bailable warrant against Rana.
Security and Investigation
The CBI expressed surprise that the accused were provided with security personnel from the Punjab Police armed with AK-47 rifles. The agency is investigating why such security was given to private individuals and whether the gunmen played any role in the case. Punjab Vigilance Chief SS Chauhan stated that 'private people' had been arrested and assured full cooperation with the CBI investigation.
The Complaint and Trap
The case was registered based on a complaint by Amit Kumar, a state tax officer posted in Malout. Kumar alleged that Vikas and his son demanded a Rs 20 lakh bribe to close a disproportionate assets case against him at the DG-Vigilance office. According to the complaint, Vikas and Raghav presented themselves as close associates of senior Punjab Vigilance officials, and Rana assured Kumar that the case would be 'settled' upon payment. The bribe was eventually negotiated down to Rs 13 lakh and an expensive mobile phone. Kumar approached the CBI, which verified the complaint and laid a trap.
On Monday, the CBI caught Ankit Wadhwan accepting Rs 13 lakh in cash and the mobile phone at the Mohali office. Vikas, Raghav, and Rana escaped, allegedly after being warned by the Punjab Police gunmen. The CBI team pursued them and apprehended Vikas and his son near Ambala, while Rana managed to flee.
Seizures and Evidence
The CBI conducted searches at the residences of Raghav and Vikas in Malout, approximately 275 kilometers from Mohali, as well as at Rana's office in Chandigarh. The agency seized around Rs 9 lakh in cash and important documents. The investigation revealed that sensitive information related to pending Vigilance cases was being shared between Rana and the accused. The CBI is probing the extent of this bribery network and whether other officials or middlemen were involved.
Court Proceedings
During the court production of the three arrested individuals, the prosecution stated that several senior officials had come under suspicion during the investigation, indicating the possibility of 'large-scale influence and collusion within the vigilance department.' The CBI informed the court that Vikas and Raghav had introduced the complainant to Rana, who allegedly told him that Rs 13 lakh was intended for 'sahab,' while Rana himself only wanted the mobile phone, even specifying its color.
The CBI cited WhatsApp chats between the arrested trio and Rana, arguing that they needed to be confronted face-to-face with Rana to uncover the entire network. The defense counsel opposed the remand, noting that the cash and phone had already been seized and the mobiles were in CBI custody. However, the agency argued that police remand was necessary for interrogation and examination of electronic records. The court granted three days of CBI custody for Vikas and Raghav.
