The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday has arrested Sarabjit Singh, block development and panchayats officer (BDPO), posted at block Mamdot, district Ferozepur for demanding and accepting bribes from Sarpanchs. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused BDPO has been arrested after finding him guilty of taking bribes after investigation of an enquiry.
He further informed that Pippal Singh, Sarpanch of village Kothe Kili Wale, Block Mamdot, Pargat Singh Sarpanch of village Muhammad Khan Niajian, Anokh Singh Sarpanch of village Gatti Mastan No.2, Gurbachan Singh, husband of Paramjit Kaur, Sarpanch of village Chak Amrik Singh Wala, Sarjit Singh Sarpanch Gatti Masta No-01 and Paramjit Singh Sarpanch of village Kot Bishan Singh Manawala have deposed before the investigation officer that the said BDPO had taken bribes from them before carrying out the panchayat works and after the completion of the works.
They further alleged that he used to delay the clearances of sanctions of village works if bribes were not given to him. It was also recorded during the probe that In lieu of payment for the works done on zero line at village Basti Dula Singh, Sarpanch Jaswant Singh has transferred the bribe of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 5,000 on two occasions through Google Pay from his ICICI bank account number on the mobile of BDPO Sarabjit Singh.
The said Sarpanch further alleged that he has recently transferred Rs 10,000 more in the said account of BDPO in lieu of completion of development works in the said village. The complainants informed that they were paying bribes to the said officer till now out of fear and compulsion but now they didn't want to get the work done by paying bribes. The complainant has submitted screenshots of payments and bank account details as evidence to the VB.
In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the said BDPO at VB police station Ferozepur range after finding him guilty for demanding and accepting bribes from Sarpanchs. He would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation in this regard was under progress.