In a significant development, OP Rana, the reader to the Director General of Police (Vigilance), surrendered before a special CBI court here on Wednesday in connection with a Rs 13 lakh bribery case. The court remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Background of the Case
The case pertains to an alleged bribery of Rs 13 lakh that was demanded and accepted by Rana from a complainant to settle a vigilance inquiry. The CBI had registered a case against Rana and two others on April 12 following a complaint.
Surrender and Arrest
Rana surrendered before the court of Special CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh. His anticipatory bail application was earlier dismissed by the same court, after which he opted to surrender. The CBI sought his custody, but the court sent him to judicial custody.
Allegations and Investigation
According to the CBI, Rana had demanded the bribe from the complainant, a resident of Mohali, to ensure a favorable report in a vigilance inquiry. The complainant approached the CBI, which laid a trap and caught Rana's alleged associate, Surinder Singh, while accepting the bribe money. However, Rana managed to evade arrest initially.
Previous Arrests
Earlier, the CBI had arrested Surinder Singh and another accused, Jaswant Singh, in connection with the case. Both are currently in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and the CBI is probing the role of other officials involved.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Punjab Police, as it involves a close aide of the DGP Vigilance. The state government has assured a thorough investigation and promised strict action against the guilty.
