Punjab: ASI caught accepting bribe of Rs 20,000

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, caught Baljit Singh, a ASI posted at the Talwandi Sabo police station in the district Bathinda red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.

Disclosing this here in a statement, 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 Bir Talabh district Bathinda.

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He stated that a scuffle occurred between the complainant’s relative and another party cultivating crops on the relative’s land.

The complainant’s relative sustained injuries during the fight and was subsequently admitted to AIIMS Bathinda for medical treatment. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Baljit Singh arrived at the hospital to record the statement of those who were injured.

He added that the complainant alleged the accused ASI demanded and accepted an initial bribe of ₹2,000 on the spot. Later, when the complainant followed up on the case status, the accused demanded an additional bribe of ₹50,000 to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the attackers.

In this regard, the complainant told him that he has only Rs 10,000 money but accused ASI asked him to arrange the remaining balance. The complainant requested a few days to gather the funds. The complainant also recorded the entire conversation demanding a bribe.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, the complainant approached the VB range Bathinda. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 20,000 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 Bathinda and further investigation into this case is under progress.