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Ludhiana: VB nabs SDO, assistant for taking ₹15,000 bribe
A VB spokesperson said a case was registered following a complaint by one Sushil Kumar, a resident of Gagandeep Colony, Bhatian Bet.
The state Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Monday arrested a sub-divisional officer (SDO) and her assistant for allegedly taking a ₹15,000 bribe, officials said.
They identified the accused as municipal corporation (MC) Zone D SDO Neha Panchal and her assistant Naitak.
A VB spokesperson said a case was registered following a complaint by one Sushil Kumar, a resident of Gagandeep Colony, Bhatian Bet. The complainant works is the general manager at Pitamaas Private Limited Company, a city-based company.
According to the complaint, the company provides services as an information, education and communication (IEC) consultant for the Ludhiana Smart City Project.
He said a tender was allotted to the firm from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.
The complainant approached informed the VB that an annual bill of ₹7.08 lakh due to the company was submitted at the MC’s Zone D office.
He alleged the accused SDO demanded ₹15,000 (nearly 2% of the due bill) for passing the bill. The VB spokesperson said the complainant recorded his conversation with SDO Panchal.
The spokesperson added that after verification of the allegations, a VB team laid a trap and the SDO’s assistant was apprehended red-handed while accepting the bribe. The VB then arrested the SDO and her assistant, the official added.
A case was registered at the VB police station, Ludhiana range, and the accused will be produced in a court on Tuesday. The spokesperson said further investigation is ongoing.
