ASI Harpal Singh of the Counter-Intelligence wing in Patiala was arrested after demanding a bribe from a civilian he had falsely implicated — threatening to withhold a clearance certificate needed for overseas travel.
“He threatened to implicate me in Khalistani activities unless I paid. I refused — and went straight to the Vigilance Bureau.” — Complainant, resident of Nabha
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) posted at the state’s Counter-Intelligence office in Patiala, after he was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from a civilian he had falsely implicated in a sensitive inquiry. The accused, ASI Harpal Singh, a native of Nabha, Patiala, was apprehended in the presence of two official government witnesses following a carefully orchestrated sting operation.
The case traces its origins to a 2023 inquiry into alleged Khalistani links involving a relative of the complainant — a resident of Nabha, Patiala. Seizing on the investigation as leverage, ASI Harpal Singh summoned the complainant to the Counter-Intelligence office and claimed that the complainant himself was similarly implicated in the activities under probe. No such formal allegation had been established.
How the Demand Was Made
According to the complainant’s account, ASI Singh made his demands explicit: a payment of ₹20,000 in exchange for a favourable report — a clearance document the complainant required to process his application to travel abroad. Without it, the complainant faced the prospect of being officially linked to an extremism inquiry, an outcome that would derail both his travel plans and his reputation.
The Sting Operation
Refusing to yield to what he described as blatant extortion, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau, Patiala Range. Officers conducted a preliminary inquiry into the complaint, which substantiated the core allegations. A trap was then laid. When ASI Harpal Singh accepted the bribe money from the complainant, Vigilance officers moved in immediately, arresting him on the spot in the presence of two government witnesses — ensuring the evidence was airtight.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accused | ASI Harpal Singh |
| Posting | Counter-Intelligence, Patiala |
| Bribe Demanded | ₹20,000 |
| Complainant From | Nabha, Patiala |
| Arrested By | Punjab Vigilance Bureau |
| Charged Under | Prevention of Corruption Act |
Legal Proceedings
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against ASI Harpal Singh under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vigilance Bureau Police Station, Patiala. The accused has been placed in custody and a detailed investigation into the matter — including a review of his conduct in other cases handled by the Counter-Intelligence wing — is currently underway.
The arrest is the latest in a sustained anti-corruption campaign being run by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau across the state. Officials from the Bureau reiterated that no individual in uniform would be spared if found misusing their position for personal gain — a message that carries particular weight given that the accused served in the Counter-Intelligence wing, an arm of the force entrusted with safeguarding national security interests.
This report is based on information released by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Investigation is ongoing.
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