Vigilance Bureau arrests two clerks of MC Ludhiana for missing policy record

Chandigarh: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested two clerks of Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL) namely Ajay Kumar, Clerk in Law Branch, Zone-A and Lakhvir Singh, Clerk, Teh Bazaari, Zone-C after finding them guilty of missing the policy record of corporation.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the state VB said in this regard FIR no 30 dated 27.09.2024 under section 409, 201, 204, 120-B of IPC and under section 13(1) read with 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act at VB police station Ludhiana range has been registered against both the accused clerks.

Giving more details he further informed that the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a COCP 1299, 1319, 772, 12559 and 917 of 2009, on date 22.01.2010 had passed an order to shift temporary scooter market situated at Gill Road, Ludhiana, a Khokha Market in-front of ITI and Car Bazaar from Feroze Gandhi Market, Ludhiana.

In this regard a policy was framed by the then Mayor of MC Ludhiana had passed a resolution in the General House meeting on 15.02.2010 and sought a report in this regard on 18.02.2010 after constituting a committee. In the year 2010, then commissioner of MCL and committee had made some suggestions regarding shifting of Scooter Market and Khokha Market.

The spokesperson further added that as per the orders dated 03.10.2023 and 08.05.2024, passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in CWP 4304 of 2013 filed by Vinay Kumar, an enquiry was conducted by VB Ludhiana range.

As the original record pertaining to this policy was not provided by the officials of MC Ludhiana to VB Ludhiana range then on 28.08.2024, the Punjab and Hariana High Court had passed order that “since serious issues as regards to the use of authority are reflected in the present case, the VB is directed to register FIR into the incident, in case the documents are not handed over within a period of 07 days and thereafter to investigate the matter in accordance with law”.

He further added that in this regard a report from Commissioner, MCL has been received on 03.09.2024 that original file is not traceable. He added that during enquiry clerk Lakhvir Singh has stated that original file was given to clerk Roni on 24.11.2019 at 7 pm at camp office of MC Commissioner Ludhiana and said clerk Roni has expired. During probe it was transpired that file was received back after in the branch of MC Ludhiana.

The spokesperson informed that since the said fact was found to be false as file was moved to Teh Bazaari Branch on 12.12.2019, therefore as per enquiry two clerks namely Lakhvir Singh from Teh Bazari branch and Ajay Kumar of Law branch have been found guilty of missing the policy record a case has been registered against both the accused.

He further added that role of other officers/officials/employees of MC Ludhiana would also be examined during further investigation.