The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Sunday, has arrested Suresh Kumar, a clerk posted at the Nagar Council, Malout, in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, for accepting a bribe of Rs 20000 from a underprivileged widow.Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said that the aforementioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Malout.
He further added that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 for releasing money under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission to construct dwelling house but the deal has been struck to pay the bribe in instalments.
The spokesperson added that after preliminary verification of this complaint, the VB officials laid a trap and apprehended Suresh Kumar red-handed while he was accepting Rs 20,000 as a first instalment of bribe at the house of complainant.
The tainted money was recovered on the spot from the accused in the presence of two official witnesses.In this regard a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the said accused at the VB police station, Bathinda range and further investigation was under progress, he said.
The Bureau has reiterated its commitment to eradicate corruption and urged the public to report any instance of bribery through the Chief Minister’s Anti Corruption Action Line number 9501-200-200. The spokesperson added that the Bureau would conduct enquiries/ investigations strictly in accordance with law on the complaints received and would ensure appropriate action against the corrupt public servants if allegations were found to be true and factual.