-16 FIRs Filed, Rs 40,900 Seized in Anti-Corruption Blitz
Chandigarh, April 7,
In a bold and decisive strike against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) launched surprise raids across Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and driving test centers statewide, apprehending 24 individuals caught in the act of bribery and malpractice. The operation, which resulted in 16 First Information Reports (FIRs) and the seizure of Rs 40,900 from unscrupulous agents, exposed a deep-rooted network exploiting citizens for driving licenses and related services.
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A senior VB spokesperson revealed that the crackdown, executed by VB Ranges including the Flying Squad and Economic Offences Wing (EOW), was triggered by a flood of complaints via the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line. The raids zeroed in on RTA officials and their intermediaries—private agents—who were fleecing applicants with illegal fees to fast-track licenses or rig driving tests.
“This is a clear message: corruption has no place in Punjab’s public offices,” the spokesperson declared. “We’re committed to rooting out these practices and safeguarding citizens from exploitation. Expect more such operations to keep the system clean and transparent.”
Among the high-profile arrests was Sukhwinder Singh, a Mohali-based agent nabbed accepting Rs 2,500 of a Rs 5,000 bribe to secure a driving license and guarantee a passing test result. In Fatehgarh Sahib, Paramjit Singh was caught red-handed pocketing Rs 5,000 for similar illicit favors.
Ludhiana saw a major haul, with the EOW detaining three culprits—Pankaj Arora (alias Sunny), Deepak Kumar, and Manish Kumar—for extorting bribes between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500. The Ludhiana VB unit also busted agents Taisiff Ahmed Ansari and Honey Arora, who demanded Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,500 respectively to manipulate license approvals.
In Jalandhar, Mohit Kumar and Vijay Kumar were nabbed accepting Rs 2,000 to expedite driving test slots, while Hoshiarpur’s Ashok Kumar was arrested for taking Rs 5,000 to bypass proper test protocols. A standout seizure occurred in Kapurthala, where agent Sher Amrik Singh was caught with Rs 12,000 in cash, hinting at possible collusion with RTA insiders.
The SBS Nagar VB team struck hard, arresting two RTA staffers—Junior Assistant Jatinder Singh and Data Entry Operator Manish Kumar—alongside agents Kewal Krishan and Kamal Kumar for their roles in the racket. In Sangrur, Lovepreet Singh and Data Entry Operator Avinas Garg of the Punjab State Transport Society were booked for demanding Rs 7,000 for a license. Tarn Taran’s Lakhbir Singh Dhilon faced charges for a Rs 3,500 bribe, while Gurdaspur agents Kulbir Singh and Indrass were recorded demanding Rs 9,000 for Motor Vehicle Inspector favors.
In Bathinda, Krishan Lal, Inderjit Singh, and agent Naveen Kumar were nabbed for fabricating Registration Certificates (RCs) using fake addresses, further exposing the scam’s breadth.
The VB vowed a thorough investigation to unravel the full modus operandi and identify additional accomplices, including potentially complicit RTA officials. “We’re digging deep to dismantle this corrupt network and ensure justice,” the spokesperson affirmed, signaling a relentless push to purge malpractices from Punjab’s transport system.
