The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its anti-corruption drive, has arrested Alok, a Revenue Department official serving as Reader to the Naib Tehsildar in Hoshiarpur, for allegedly demanding and accepting a ₹8,000 bribe.
A VB spokesperson stated that the accused was apprehended following a complaint by a resident of Shimlapuri, Ludhiana. According to the complainant, the Naib Tehsildar of Hoshiarpur had assisted his firm in acquiring possession of a property under the SARFAESI Act, as per the Deputy Commissioner’s orders. The Reader allegedly demanded ₹10,000 to forward the possession report to the Deputy Commissioner’s office but later agreed to accept ₹8,000 upon negotiation.
After verifying the complaint, the VB team set up a trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting the bribe in the presence of two official witnesses. A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station, Jalandhar range, and further investigations will examine the involvement of others.