Punjab Vigilance Bureau Nabs Mining SDO Taking Rs 50,000 Bribe in Nabhaਵਿਜੀਲੈਂਸ ਬਿਊਰੋ ਨੇ ਨਾਭਾ ਦਾ ਮਾਈਨਿੰਗ ਐੱਸਡੀਓ 50,000 ਰੁਪਏ ਰਿਸ਼ਵਤ ਲੈਂਦਿਆਂ ਫੜਿਆ

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Thursday, October 8, arrested Hardeep Singh, a Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) in the Mining Department posted at Nabha in Patiala district, for allegedly accepting a Rs 50,000 bribe. A VB spokesperson said the officer was caught red-handed during a trap laid on a contractor's complaint.

What does the complainant allege?

According to the VB spokesperson, the complainant is a contractor from Alipur Araian village in Patiala district. He alleged that SDO Hardeep Singh threatened to issue challans against his overloaded tipper vehicles and demanded Rs 50,000 for taking no action. The contractor, unwilling to pay the bribe, approached the VB Range, Patiala.

How was the trap laid?

Acting on the complaint, a VB team laid a trap. The bureau said the SDO was arrested red-handed while accepting Rs 50,000 from the complainant, in the presence of two official witnesses.

What case has been registered?

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against Hardeep Singh at the VB police station in Patiala, and the bureau said further investigation is under way. The allegations have not been proved in court.

Why does it matter for mining enforcement?

The arrest comes as Punjab's Mining Department is publicly pressing an enforcement drive against illegal sand mining. Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said on Tuesday that, up to October 6, the department had registered 247 FIRs and issued 598 challans across the state, with penalties of over Rs 7.92 crore imposed and over Rs 7.69 crore recovered. Overloaded tippers are among the vehicles that attract challans, which is why the contractor's complaint centred on them.

What is the Vigilance Bureau's role?

The VB is the state's anti-corruption agency. It routinely runs trap operations in which a complainant reports a bribe demand, and officers catch the accused accepting the money in the presence of independent official witnesses. Punjab residents can report bribe demands to the bureau.

Who was arrested?

Hardeep Singh, an SDO in the Mining Department posted at Nabha, Patiala district.

How much bribe was allegedly demanded?

Rs 50,000, allegedly demanded to avoid action against the complainant's overloaded tipper vehicles.

Has the SDO been convicted?

No. He has been arrested and a case has been registered; the allegations have not been proved in court.