Punjab Vigilance Bureau Nabs PSPCL Officer in Bribery Sting Operation
In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has apprehended a sub-divisional officer from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000. The arrest occurred in the Kup Kalan sub-division of Malerkotla, sending a strong message against illegal practices in public service.
Details of the Bribery Incident
According to an official spokesperson from the state Vigilance Bureau, the accused officer, Hardeep Singh, was stationed at the PSPCL office in the Kup Kalan sub-division. The incident unfolded after a resident of Bhogiwal village in Malerkotla filed a formal complaint with the authorities.
The complainant alleged that Hardeep Singh inspected his residential property and claimed that unauthorized electricity meters had been installed on the premises. Following this inspection, the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 to permit the continued operation of these meters, threatening legal action otherwise.
Vigilance Bureau's Swift Action
Unwilling to succumb to the illegal demand, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau's Patiala range office. The bureau initiated a preliminary enquiry to verify the allegations, which confirmed the corrupt practices.
A meticulously planned trap was set by the VB team, involving two official witnesses to ensure transparency and legal validity. The operation culminated with the arrest of Hardeep Singh red-handed as he accepted the bribe money from the complainant, providing irrefutable evidence of the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
A formal case has been registered against the accused officer under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station in Patiala. The investigation is currently ongoing to uncover any further details or potential accomplices in this corruption case.
This arrest highlights the Vigilance Bureau's commitment to rooting out corruption within government departments, particularly in sectors like electricity distribution where public interaction is frequent. The bureau has urged citizens to report any similar incidents to help maintain integrity in public services.
