The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Sub Divisional Officer Hardeep Singh posted at PSPCL office, Sub Division Kup Kalan district Malerkotla , red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/-.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Bhogiwal district Malerkotla. He said that the accused SDO Hardeep Singh checked the complainant's house and told him that unauthorised electricity meters installed in his house.
In this regard, accused SDO demanded bribe of Rs. 10,000/- to keep these electricity meter continue. Complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe. Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau range Patiala.
After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 10,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses. In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Patiala and further investigation into this case is under progress.