The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption, as directed by the Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, on Wednesday arrested a Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Mohan Lal and a Lineman Hardeep Singh, posted at PSPCL Focal Point Division, Ludhiana for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the VB said the above mentioned accused SDO and Lineman have been arrested on the complaint of Lokesh Modi, resident of Bittu colony, Tajpur road, village Bhamian, Ludhiana.
Giving more details he informed that the complainant has approached the VB and alleged that the above said SDO and Lineman have visited his factory 'Jiwan Sons' and threatened to pay the bribe otherwise they would disconnect the power connection of his unit.
The complainant further informed that the electricity bill of his unit was pending due to financial problem and PSPCL had issued disconnection orders. He alleged that both the power personnel had already taken bribe money of Rs 34,000 from the complainant in instalments through PhonePe on different dates and demanding more money as a bribe.
The spokesperson said after verifying this information, the VB Ludhiana unit laid a trap and the above said accused Lineman was arrested while taking bribe money of Rs. 5,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. Later the said co-accused SDO has also been arrested in this case.
He informed that a FIR No 11 dated 31-05-2023 under sections 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act and 120-B of IPC has been registered against both the accused at VB police station, Ludhiana range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow. Further investigation in this was under progress, he added.