Further Investigation in the matter is underway

CHANDIGARH: In a significant development, the Vigilance Bureau has apprehended two government officials, Sartaj Singh Randhawa and Harjinder Singh, from the Mining Department in a case related to alleged bribery. The accused were arrested today by the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Hoshiarpur, acting on a complaint filed by Jaspreet Singh, son of Narinder Singh and resident of Dholan, Tehsil Jagraon, District Ludhiana. The complaint had accused the officials of demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 5,00,000.

Providing insight into the case, a spokesperson for the Vigilance Bureau shared, "The complainant, Jaspreet Singh, works as a site controller in Regal Enterprises. His company had secured a contract from Kalpataru Company for the earthwork on the Mukerian/Talwara railway line. The company had paid a government fee of Rs. 41,10,117 for soil collection from village Ghagwal, Tehsil Dasuya, District Hoshiarpur, through Kalpataru Company."

However, after the payment, it was discovered that the land in question fell under the purview of Forest Department provisions 4 and 5, rendering soil collection impossible. Seeking assistance, the complainant's senior officer, Jatinder Singh, approached the accused officials, Sartaj Singh Randhawa and Harjinder Singh. It is alleged that Sartaj Singh Randhawa demanded Rs. 12,00,000 for transferring the royalty, later agreeing to complete the task for Rs. 8,00,000.

Acting on the complaint, a trap was set by the Vigilance Bureau team, which included Manish Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sub-Inspector Lakhwinder Singh, and other officials. The officials arrested Sartaj Singh Randhawa and Harjinder Singh while they were allegedly accepting the bribe.

Notably, Both accused officials are set to be produced in court on September 1, 2023. The case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the P.C. (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.