Mohali Vigilance Bureau Arrests Police ASI in Bribery Case
The flying squad-1 of the Mohali vigilance bureau has made a significant arrest, taking into custody Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Bir Chand, who was posted at the Balongi police station. The officer stands accused of allegedly demanding a substantial bribe of ₹1.25 lakh in exchange for protecting a family from legal repercussions in an assault case that occurred following a wedding ceremony.
Complaint and Audio Evidence Lead to Action
This decisive action was initiated after a formal complaint was lodged, supported by compelling audio recordings. The complainant proactively uploaded these recordings to the vigilance bureau's dedicated anti-corruption helpline, which operates on the number 95012-00200. In the audio evidence, ASI Bir Chand is allegedly heard explicitly demanding ₹1,25,000 for the station house officer and an additional ₹25,000 for his personal benefit. During the conversation, the complainant, identified as Satish, is heard responding that he would arrange ₹1 lakh by the evening.
Details of the Assault Case and Alleged Extortion
Satish, a resident of Maloa Colony in Chandigarh, provided a detailed account to the vigilance bureau. He explained that his daughter, Anjali, married Arsh from Bad Majra, Mohali, on November 27, 2025. After the wedding, a reception was hosted by the in-laws. Unfortunately, a fight reportedly erupted among some youths after the party, resulting in one individual sustaining serious injuries.
Satish alleged that ASI Bir Chand then began threatening to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Arsh. Initially, the officer demanded ₹50,000 to avert any legal action, and later extorted another ₹30,000 from the distressed family. Despite these payments, the ASI allegedly continued to pressure the family through persistent phone calls, escalating his demands to over ₹1 lakh. On December 22, 2025, he purportedly informed them that the case had been forwarded under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and suggested that the matter could be "settled" for ₹1 lakh, along with additional services.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
The vigilant complainant recorded the subsequent conversations and shared this crucial evidence with the vigilance bureau. Following this, a formal case was registered at the vigilance police station on January 29, 2026. The investigation has been assigned to head constable (LR) Manjit Singh, who will lead the probe. Officials have indicated that the roles of the Station House Officer (SHO) and other officers mentioned in the audio clips will also be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry.
The vigilance bureau's FIR notes that the verification process, combined with the audio evidence and the complainant's statement, established prima facie involvement of ASI Bir Chand in an offence under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. ASI Bir Chand was subsequently arrested, produced before the court, and has been remanded for further investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption.
