The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state on Friday arrested Ramesh Chander, a retired Patwari of revenue halqua Keedian, in tehsil Patti and his son Vishal Sharma for taking bribe of Rs 11,000 in two instalments.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the duo accused on the basis of investigation of a complaint lodged at the VB toll free number by Sakatar Singh, a resident of Village Keedian, district Tarn Taran.
He further informed that during investigation it has came to light that the accused and his son Vishal have received bribes of Rs 11,000 from the complainant in two instalments in lieu of making correction in the revenue records regarding ownership of agricultural land.
The complainant has alleged that the said Patwari had tampered with the ownership records of his father's land measuring about 10 acres (81 kanals) by making his uncle' sons as co-owners of their agricultural land. When he complained to the Patwari in this regard, the accused demanded Rs 10,000 to correct the records. He further alleged that the accused Patwari has taken Rs 1,000 on the spot and asked to pay Rs 10,000 more as a bribe for making the corrections.
During the probe it was proved that on 29.09.2017, the accused Patwari had received Rs 10,000 through his son Vishal Sharma, at the goldsmith shop of Hardev Singh at Harike town. This incident was recorded in the CCTV camera installed in the shop.
In this regard a corruption case has been registered against both the accused under Prevention of Corruption Act at VB Police Station Amritsar range. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he added.