FEROZEPUR, PUNJAB — In a significant blow to police corruption in the state, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1,30,000.
The accused, identified as Gurjit Singh (alias Goldy), was posted at the CIA Staff in Ferozepur. His arrest follows a high-stakes operation triggered by a whistle-blower’s complaint.
The Allegation
The investigation began after a resident of Naurang Ke Leli village, a cattle trader, approached the Vigilance Bureau’s Flying Squad in Mohali. According to the complainant, a criminal case had been registered against his relative by the Ferozepur Cantonment CIA staff.
The complainant alleged that ASI Gurjit Singh approached him with a threat, warning that his relative would be arrested immediately unless a bribe was paid. The officer reportedly demanded Rs 2.5 lakhs, claiming the money was intended to delay the arrest and facilitate the relative’s bail. Furthermore, the accused allegedly claimed the illicit funds were to be passed on to the CIA Staff In-charge, Mohit Dhawan.
The Sting Operation
After negotiations, the bribe amount was settled at Rs 2.3 lakhs. The complainant had already paid an initial instalment of Rs 1 lakh. Unwilling to pay the remainder, the victim alerted the Vigilance Bureau.
Acting on the report, a specialized team from the Vigilance Bureau set a trap. They caught ASI Gurjit Singh red-handed at the moment he accepted the final payment of Rs 1,30,000 in the presence of two independent official witnesses.
Legal Proceedings
Following the arrest, the Vigilance Bureau registered a formal case against the accused under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at their Mohali police station.
A spokesperson for the Bureau confirmed that the investigation is now in full swing, with authorities looking into the full extent of the extortion scheme, including verifying the alleged involvement of other senior officers mentioned by the accused.
This arrest marks another successful milestone in the state government’s ongoing campaign to purge corrupt elements from public service offices.
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