Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrests SDM Batala-cum-Municipal Commissioner red-handed while taking Rs 50,000 bribe
Though there is no official confirmation yet, sources claim that a substantial amount of unaccounted cash, likely running into lakhs, was recovered
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Vikramjeet Singh Panthey, Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Batala and SDM Batala, after he was allegedly caught accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. Officials also recovered Rs 13.5 lakh in unaccounted cash during a subsequent search.
According to an official spokesperson, the complainant, a Batala-based contractor, had completed patch repair and road maintenance work under the Municipal Corporation. He had submitted two bills amounting to Rs 3,72,852 for payment.
The spokesperson said the accused Commissioner had demanded 10% commission, amounting to Rs 37,000, to clear the pending bills. The complainant had also executed camera and equipment work for a sound and light show in the city, for which an additional Rs 1,81,543 was pending. This brought the total dues to approximately Rs 5.54 lakh.
The complainant further stated that when he approached SDO Rohit Uppal regarding payment, he was told that the Commissioner’s instructions had to be followed and that a 9% bribe would be required to release the dues. Refusing to pay the illegal gratification, the contractor approached the Vigilance Bureau.
After recording the complaint and verifying the allegations, the VB team laid a trap and apprehended Panthey while allegedly accepting the bribe amount. The operation was conducted in the presence of two independent government witnesses.
A case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Range Amritsar. Officials confirmed that the accused will be produced before court, and further investigation is currently in progress.