Chandigarh/Hoshiarpur- In a major crackdown against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau conducted surprise raids at Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres across the state during which 24 persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in bribery and other irregularities. A total of 16 FIRs have been registered during the drive and the officers have seized Rs 40,900 from agents who were taking money from people for providing driving licences, driving tests and other services.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the State Vigilance Bureau said that following several complaints received through the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line, the raids were conducted by the Vigilance Bureau ranges, including flying squads and Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The drive targeted RTA officials and agents who were acting as agents and charging illegal fees to expedite the licence process or manipulate the results of driving tests.
The spokesperson said these raids are part of the state's ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption in government offices. "We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in government services. Such raids will continue to curb illegal activities and protect people from exploitation," the spokesperson said. Those arrested included a private agent Sukhwinder Singh from Mohali who was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 2,500 as part of a bribe of Rs 5,000 for making driving licences and ensuring clearance of test.
Another agent in Fatehgarh Sahib, Paramjit Singh was caught accepting Rs 5,000 for similar illegal services. The spokesperson further said the EOW unit in Ludhiana has detained three persons - Pankaj Arora alias Sunny, Deepak Kumar and Manish Kumar - for demanding bribes ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500. The Ludhiana Vigilance Bureau range arrested two more agents, Taiseef Ahmad Ansari and Honey Arora, for taking Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,500 respectively for getting licences issued. In Jalandhar, Mohit Kumar and Vijay Kumar were caught red-handed taking Rs 2,000 for fast-track driving test appointments.
In Hoshiarpur, agent Ashok Kumar was arrested for taking Rs 5,000 for passing driving tests without actual trials. A major seizure was made in Kapurthala itself, where agent Sher Amrik Singh was arrested with Rs 12,000 in cash, revealing suspected collusion with RTA officials. In SBS Nagar, the Vigilance Bureau team arrested two RTA employees - Jatinder Singh, junior assistant and Manish Kumar, data entry operator - as well as two private agents, Kewal Krishan and Kamal Kumar, for their involvement in corruption.
In Sangrur too, the Vigilance Bureau has registered a case against Lovepreet Singh, who demanded a bribe of Rs 7000 from the complainant for making a driving license, and Avinash Garg, data entry operator of Punjab State Transport Society. Similarly, in Tarn Taran too, the Vigilance Bureau has registered a case against private agent accused Lakhbir Singh Dhillon, who demanded a bribe of Rs 3500 from the complainant for making a driving license.
Similarly, in Gurdaspur too, the Vigilance Bureau has clear evidence of recording against accused Kulbir Singh and Indras (both agents), who demanded Rs 9000 for MVI officers. Apart from this, the Vigilance Bureau has also registered a case against Krishan Lal, Inderjit Singh and agent Naveen Kumar for making registration certificates using fake addresses in Bathinda.
These cases are being investigated in a professional manner and the Vigilance Bureau will thoroughly investigate the methods and means used for bribery including the officers/employees of the RTA office to eliminate corruption and irregularities.