Massive crackdown on corruption by Haryana Vigilance: 147 trap cases, 186 arrests and over Rs1.03 crore recovery
Among those arrested were 163 government employees, including 13 gazetted officers, 150 non-gazetted officials, and 23 private individuals.
PTC News Desk: In line with the Zero Tolerance policy of the Haryana Government, the State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has carried out a decisive and result-oriented campaign against corruption, achieving unprecedented results during the year 2025. During the year, the Bureau registered a total of 251 corruption-related cases, including 147 trap/raid cases, the highest number recorded in the last ten years. During these operations, an amount of ₹1,03,15,900 was recovered on the spot, and a total of 186 accused were arrested.
Among those arrested were 163 government employees, including 13 gazetted officers, 150 non-gazetted officials, and 23 private individuals. On an average, nearly 13 government employees were arrested every month in corruption cases, reflecting the firm resolve of the State Government and the proactive functioning of the Vigilance Bureau.
Sharing these details, Ajay Singhal, Chief of the State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau, stated that out of the 251 cases registered in 2025, 147 cases were detected through trap/raid operations, while 104 cases were registered on the basis of enquiries and special checkings. The Bureau has consciously shifted its focus from actions limited to lower-level staff to targeting senior officials who operate and facilitate organised corruption networks. This strategy has been adopted strictly in accordance with the clear directions of Chief Minister, Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, to strike at the very roots of corruption.
Major Action Against Senior Officials and High-Value Cases
During 2025, the Bureau carried out decisive action in several high-profile cases. A private individual was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹30 lakh, in which a Delhi Police Inspector was also found to be a co-accused. Similarly, two Municipal Councillors, one clerk and one private individual were arrested while accepting a bribe of ₹7.57 lakh.
In three separate cases, one ASI and two SIs of the Police Department were caught red-handed while accepting a total bribe amount of ₹4.65 lakh. An Assistant Engineer (Irrigation) was arrested while taking ₹3.90 lakh, a Personal Assistant while accepting ₹3.50 lakh, an Assistant Chief Medical Officer while accepting ₹3.25 lakh, and two Nursing Orderlies while taking ₹3 lakh as bribe. A Superintendent (CGST) was apprehended while accepting ₹2.50 lakh.
Similarly, a Patwari of the Town & Country Planning Department and a Tehsildar (Election) were caught in separate cases while accepting ₹2 lakh each, while an Assistant Planning Officer was arrested for accepting a bribe of ₹1.75 lakh.
Wide Department-Wise Coverage of Action
During 2025, officials from a wide range of departments were proceeded against. These included 44 from the Police Department, 24 from Revenue, 9 from Urban Local Bodies, 7 from Power Utilities, 7 from Food & Civil Supplies, 6 from Development & Panchayats, 5 from Excise & Taxation, 5 from Town & Country Planning, 3 from Cooperation, 3 from Irrigation, 3 from Transport, 2 from Education, 2 from Panchayati Raj, 2 from Public Health Engineering, 2 from Food & Drugs Administration, 2 from Health, 2 from Higher Education, 2 from Home Guards, and 15 officials from other departments such as HSIIDC, Haryana Housing Board, HSVP, Labour, Treasury & Accounts, Judiciary, Election, ESIC, Forest Department, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Khadi & Village Industries Board, PWD, Railways, and Women & Child Development.
In these cases, the bribe amounts ranged from ₹5,000 to ₹30 lakh.
Strict Action Through Enquiries and Special Investigations
To further strengthen the anti-corruption drive, the Bureau registered 123 preliminary enquiries during 2025, involving 1 IAS officer, 3 HCS officers, 1 HPS officer, 4 Tehsildars, 2 Naib Tehsildars, 1 Chief Engineer, 7 Executive Engineers, 8 SDOs and 3 District Town Planners.
Out of these, 109 enquiries were finalized. Based on their outcomes, recommendations were made for:
• Registration of criminal cases against 39 gazetted officers, 30 non-gazetted officials and 21 private individuals in 24 enquiries,
• Departmental action in 20 enquiries, and
• Both criminal prosecution and departmental action in 5 enquiries.
‘Operation Peecha Karo’: Crackdown on Absconding Accused
To apprehend long-absconding accused involved in corruption cases, a 48-hour statewide special drive titled “Operation Peecha Karo” was conducted on 26–27 December 2025. During this operation, 28 absconding accused, wanted in cases registered between 2020 and 2025, were successfully arrested.
Crores Recovered Through Technical Checks and Special Audits
From 1 January to 31 December 2025, the Technical Wing of the Vigilance Bureau, headed by SE/XEN-level officers, conducted 63 special technical inspections/checkings across the State. Based on the irregularities detected, action was recommended against 192 officers/officials of various departments, boards and corporations, and recovery amounting to ₹7.38 crore was proposed during the year.
Public Participation Strengthens the Anti-Corruption Campaign
The Vigilance Bureau continues to collect actionable inputs through whistle-blowers, complainants and feedback received from various departments, enabling effective trap operations against those demanding or accepting bribes. Citizens are urged to actively support the fight against corruption by reporting such cases.
Complaints related to corruption can be lodged through the toll-free numbers 1800-180-2022 and 1064, or via WhatsApp at 94178-91064.
Reiterating the Bureau’s firm resolve, Sh. Ajay Singhal, Chief of the State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau, stated that the campaign against corruption will continue with full rigor, and no offender—irrespective of rank or position—will be spared.