Vigilance Bureau Arrests Impostor for Extorting Rs 42.60 Lakh by Posing as Government Official
Chandigarh, February 20, 2025:
In a significant crackdown against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested a private individual, Jagat Ram , a resident of Mullapur Dakha in Ludhiana district, for extorting Rs 42.60 lakh by falsely posing as a government official. The accused allegedly claimed to be an employee of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) and deceived a complainant into paying bribes to obtain pending No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Case Details and Complaint
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Rakesh Sachdeva , a resident of SBS Nagar, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana , through the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line .
According to the complaint, Sachdeva, who runs a garment shop at AC Market, Ludhiana , had purchased three properties under the LDP scheme of the LIT in 2017, 2019, and 2022 , respectively. Despite submitting all necessary documents to the LIT for transferring the properties into his name, he failed to obtain the required NOCs.
During this period, Sachdeva met Jagat Ram , who falsely introduced himself as an official of the LIT and claimed to be the Private Secretary to a senior officer in Chandigarh . The accused assured Sachdeva that he could expedite the issuance of the NOCs but demanded a bribe in return.
Bribe Payments and Deception
Sachdeva alleged that over the course of two years, Jagat Ram collected bribes from him in installments, totaling Rs 42.60 lakh , including Rs 3.90 lakh through Google Pay . However, despite receiving the money, Jagat Ram failed to deliver the promised NOCs.
Upon further investigation, Sachdeva discovered that Jagat Ram was not an LIT employee but a private individual exploiting unsuspecting citizens by impersonating a public servant. To gather evidence, Sachdeva, with the help of a friend, recorded conversations with the accused, during which Jagat Ram admitted to accepting bribes amounting to Rs 37 lakh .
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Investigation and Arrest
The VB spokesperson revealed that during the verification of the complaint, the allegations were substantiated by oral, audio, and documentary evidence . Investigations confirmed that Jagat Ram had extorted Rs 42.60 lakh from the complainant under false pretenses.
Based on these findings, a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB Police Station, Ludhiana Range . Jagat Ram will be produced before the competent court tomorrow.
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The VB also stated that the role of any potential accomplices, including employees of the LIT, would be thoroughly examined during the ongoing investigation.
Commitment to Combat Corruption
This arrest highlights the Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s relentless efforts to root out corruption and hold impostors accountable for exploiting citizens. By addressing such fraudulent activities, the VB reaffirms its commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in public service delivery.
The case serves as a reminder for citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals posing as government officials to prevent falling victim to such scams.
