VB nabs ASI in Amritsar for taking ₹20,000 bribe, demanding ₹1 lakh total

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing campaign against corruption, today arrested ASI Satnam Singh, posted at Police Station Islamabad, Amritsar, for accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 as the first instalment of an alleged ₹1,00,000 demand.

Disclosing this here on Monday, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused had demanded the bribe from Inderjeet Singh, a resident of Bhai Manj Road, Amritsar.

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Inderjeet Singh stated that his close friend, Paras Mehta, a financial advisor, had invested money belonging to one Sunil Kumar in the share market. Following a market crash, Sunil Kumar suffered a loss of ₹2,00,000.

In this connection, Sunil Kumar called Paras Mehta to his home, where he and his associates allegedly obtained four signed blank cheques and an affidavit for ₹6,00,000 from him, later filing a fraud complaint against him at Police Station Islamabad. In retaliation, Paras Mehta filed a complaint against Sunil Kumar at the Commissionerate, Amritsar.

The complaint against Paras Mehta was marked to ASI Satnam Singh for verification. The ASI allegedly told Paras Mehta that he would ensure the complaint remained with him and demanded ₹1,00,000 to “resolve” the case, insisting on an immediate payment of ₹20,000 as the first instalment.

Unwilling to pay a bribe for his friend’s legitimate work, Inderjeet Singh, along with Paras Mehta, reported the matter to DSP VB Unit, Amritsar. The complainant’s statement was recorded, and the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the ₹20,000 in the presence of a government witness.

A case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended by the Prevention of Corruption \[Amendment] Act, 2018) has been registered at the Police Station Vigilance Bureau, Range Amritsar. The case is under investigation, and the accused will be produced before the competent court tomorrow.