Vigilance Bureau arrests Panchayat Officer for accepting Rs 24,000 bribe

Vigilance Bureau arrests Panchayat Officer for accepting Rs 24,000 bribe

Chandigarh November 22, 2024 –

          The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Friday has apprehended Gurinder Singh Grover, posted as Panchayat Officer-cum Administrator Block Verka, district Amritsar for accepting a bribe of Rs 24,000.

          Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Joginder Singh, a resident of village Mahaniya Kohara, in Kathunangal, Amritsar.

          He further added that the said complainant has approached the VB and informed that he was sarpanch of village Mahaniya Kohara  from the year 2019-2024 and that development grants were received from Central and State Governments. The accused had transferred a total of Rs 1,27,800 in his account and latter collected it in cash. The complainant alleged that now the Panchayat Officer has been demanding a bribe of 2 percent amounting to Rs 24,000 for issuing user certificate (UC) of said development funds amounting to Rs 12,50000.

          The spokesperson added that after verification of this complaint the VB unit Amritsar laid a trap during which the said accused was caught red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 24,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

          He further added that in this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station, Range Amritsar. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case is under progress, he said.