Punjab Vigilance Bureau Arrests Batala Commissioner for Bribery

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Vikramjeet Singh Panthey, the municipal corporation commissioner and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Batala, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The arrest occurred after officials caught him red-handed while accepting the money from a local complainant.

According to a statement released by the VB, the incident unfolded in Batala, a city in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The complainant, who had arranged for patch and repair work on local roads, reported that he was required to pay a commission to have his bills processed. The total amount he sought to recover included two bills totaling Rs 3,72,852.

Upon meeting with Panthey, the complainant claimed that he was told he would need to pay a 10% commission, amounting to Rs 37,000, to expedite the clearance of his bills. In addition to the road repair bills, the complainant was also awaiting payment for technical services related to a light and sound show, which included an outstanding amount of Rs 1,81,543. This brought his total due to approximately Rs 5,54,395.

While seeking assistance from Rohit Uppal, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), the complainant was informed that Panthey’s directive had to be followed, and he would again be required to pay a 9% commission for the bills to be processed. The complainant ultimately refused to pay any bribe, prompting him to report the situation to the VB.

The VB, acting on the complainant’s information, recorded his statement at their Gurdaspur unit. Following a thorough verification of the allegations, officials set up a trap and apprehended Panthey in the act of accepting the bribe. The operation involved two official witnesses who corroborated the incident.

In response to these events, the VB has registered a case against Panthey under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Amritsar Range police station. This case underscores ongoing efforts by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to combat corruption within municipal bodies and government offices, aiming to maintain transparency and integrity in public service.

As investigations continue, the VB’s actions reflect a commitment to addressing corruption at all levels of government in the region.