In line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday arrested George Masih, a Block Officer posted at the Block Development and Panchayats Office (BDPO) in Amritsar, for accepting a bribe of ₹13,000.
An official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau stated that the arrest was made following a complaint filed by a resident of village Bikraur in Amritsar district. According to the complaint, the resident intended to contest the 2024 Panchayat elections but was barred after being declared a defaulter by the Block Officer of Ajnala. The notice claimed he had not paid dues on 4 kanals of government land, and warned that an FIR would be lodged against him.
As per the complaint, the Block Officer demanded ₹13,000 to remove his name from the defaulter list and correct the revenue records. After verifying the complaint, a team from VB Unit Amritsar laid a trap and caught the officer red-handed while accepting the bribe in the presence of two official witnesses.
A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at the VB Police Station, Amritsar Range. He will be presented in court on Wednesday, and further investigation is underway.