Chandigarh, January 31
In its continued crackdown on corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Dr. Harkirat Gill, Senior Medical Officer (SMO), and Satwinder Singh, Senior Assistant, red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹32,000. Both officials were posted at the Community Health Center (CHC), Sidhwan Bet, in Ludhiana district.
A spokesperson for the state Vigilance Bureau disclosed that the arrests followed a complaint filed by a health worker.
According to the complaint, an ongoing audit was being conducted at the CHC Sidhwan Bet. Dr. Harkirat Gill, through Satwinder Singh (Senior Assistant), allegedly demanded bribes ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹6,000 per employee from around 50 staff members at the center, claiming the money was needed to “pacify” or bribe the audit team.
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Following a preliminary verification of the complaint, the VB’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) team from Ludhiana laid a trap. During the operation, Satwinder Singh was caught red-handed in the presence of official witnesses while accepting ₹32,000 as bribe from the complainant.
Dr. Harkirat Gill, SMO at Sidhwan Bet, was also arrested in connection with the case. During raids conducted immediately after the trap:
- ₹1,04,500 was recovered from the purse of Dr. Harkirat Gill.
- ₹1,07,000 was recovered from the pockets of Satwinder Singh.
A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against both accused at the Vigilance Bureau Police Station, Economic Offences Wing, Ludhiana. Further investigation is underway.
