Vigilance Bureau arrests MLA Jalandhar (Central) for indulging in organized corruption in connivance with local municipal officials

Drive against corruption: Vigilance Bureau arrests MLA Jalandhar (Central) for indulging in organized corruption in connivance with local municipal officials

Chandigarh, May 23, 2025 :

In line with the unwavering resolve of the Punjab Government regarding zero tolerance against corruption in public service under the leadership of Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) achieved an important break-through today when the Jalandhar Range office of the Bureau, arrested Raman Arora, sitting MLA, Jalandhar (Central) for indulging in corruption in connivance with a certain official of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB stated that on 14 May 2025, a joint complaint signed by three office bearers of the Engineers and Building Designer Association, Jalandhar, was received by the Bureau, where it was alleged that one Sukhdev Vashisht, Assistant Town Planner (ATP), Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, often demands illegal gratification from them, and further that whenever he goes out in his area of jurisdiction, he threatens people that their buildings would be sealed and demolished. It was further alleged that he has many files pending with him, even though same have been cleared by other wings of the Municipal Corporation (MC).

The spokesperson further added that after examination of this complaint, the VB Jalandhar Range has registered a FIR no. 23, dated 14/05/2025 under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the said Sukhdev Vashisht, ATP, MC Jalandhar on the complaint of Er. Sunil Katyal, President, Engineers and Building Designer Association, Jalandhar, Punjab. The VB had arrested above mentioned accused Sukhdev Vashisth on 14/05/2025 itself and proceeded with its investigation. It was revealed during investigation that accused Sukhdev Vashisth was posted in Pathankot in the substantive rank of Senior Draftsman, but held the additional charge of ATP Jalandhar MC also. The accused had continuously been posted in Jalandhar, with small breaks in-between, from April 2022 till now.

During the search of the office premises and the residence of the arrested ATP Sukhdev Vashisth, among other incriminating documents and material evidence, hundreds of official notices for unauthorised construction and related matters were recovered from his personal possession and office records. Some of these notices were not found to be even entered in the dispatch register. Other documents, pending without action for very long periods of time without reason, were also recovered.

The spokesperson added that further investigation revealed that a unique modus operandi was being followed by the arrested official in connivance with a local politician for extorting money from people of the city and indulging in corruption. The arrested ATP, at the behest and in consultation with MLA Raman Arora, would identify constructed or under-construction buildings, both commercial as well as residential, and serve them notices for alleged violations. When the building owners, or their representatives, would approach the concerned official, he would direct them to the said MLA. The said MLA would then settle the matter by taking illegal gratification. Upon receiving an affirmative message from the said MLA, the files would be consigned by the accused ATP and no action initiated. Close to 75-80 such notices related to the said nexus have been recovered. The same modus operandi would be followed in clearing other files too.

Detailed physical and documentary verification of each notice and other documents are underway through technical teams of the Bureau and the Local Bodies Department, and many shortcomings have come to light, he said.