Karnal district town planner arrested while taking ₹5 lakh bribe

The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau on Friday arrested a district town planner (DTP) posted in Karnal red-handed while taking a bribe of ₹5 lakh to facilitate the development of an illegal colony

The Haryana State Vigilance Bureau on Friday arrested a district town planner (DTP) posted in Karnal red-handed while taking a bribe of ₹5 lakh to facilitate the development of an illegal colony.

Unaccounted cash to the tune of ₹78.64 lakh was recovered from the accused district town planner’s home. (Representative image)

The accused has been identified as Vikram Singh, 37. His driver, Balbir, was also arrested with ₹5,000.

The bureau said during a search operation of Singh’s house, unaccounted cash to the tune of ₹78.64 lakh was recovered. “Jewellery and documents pertaining to agricultural land, one flat and 12 plots have been recovered during the searches. Documents detailing investments in shares, mutual funds and cryptocurrencies have also been recovered. Also, details of movable and immovable properties have also been found from Singh’s residence,” the bureau’s statement further reads.

Vikram Singh, the accused.

Officials said that the accused DTP facilitated the development of illegal colonies and took money to not get them demolished. “The bureau had received a complaint against Vikram and after verifying the information, laid a trap and caught him and his driver red-handed while accepting the bribe,” they added.

A case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation is underway, inspector Sachin of the bureau’s Karnal range said.