Ludhiana: VB nabs patwari for accepting ₹3,500 bribe

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday arrested a patwari posted in Ludhiana district for allegedly accepting a ₹3,500 bribe to process a property mutation

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Friday arrested a patwari posted in Ludhiana district for allegedly accepting a ₹3,500 bribe to process a property mutation.

The accused, Gurjit Singh, was posted at Revenue Estate Dhol Khurd under the sub-registrar, Malaud, and was allegedly caught red-handed during a trap laid by bureau officials. (HT FILE)

According to a VB spokesperson, the accused, Gurjit Singh, was posted at Revenue Estate Dhol Khurd under the sub-registrar, Malaud, and was allegedly caught red-handed during a trap laid by bureau officials.

“The complainant had approached the patwari to get a 3-biswa plot, registered in his late mother’s name, mutated in the names of the legal heirs. The accused, he claimed, demanded ₹5,000 to process the mutation, which was later negotiated down to ₹3,500. The complainant also recorded the conversation in which the accused demanded the bribe,” the spokesperson said. The complainant subsequently approached the VB’s Ludhiana range, following which a trap was laid. The accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe in the presence of two official witnesses.

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at the vigilance bureau police station in Ludhiana. Officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused was involved in similar acts of corruption.